Criminal law encompasses various offenses against property and other persons. This area of the law also involves drug and alcohol-related crimes. Whatever criminal charges you may be facing, a Loxahatchee criminal defense Lawyer can be instrumental to a positive outcome in your case.
When you are accused of a crime, you have many rights that the police, Prosecutors, and Judges must respect. One of our experienced Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert can help protect those rights and fight back against any violations. With aggressive legal representation, you may reach the best possible resolution in your case.
Arrests and Criminal Charges in Loxahatchee
In some cases, police arrest individuals during or immediately after the commission of a crime. In other cases, Prosecutors submit a request to a Judge who will issue a warrant upon a finding of probable cause. Police then can execute the warrant by arresting the persons named in the warrant.
After an arrest, police book individuals into the county jail. In most situations, these individuals can bond out immediately if they can pay the bond amount. If they cannot afford to pay the bond, they can request that the Judge lower their bond when they first appear in Court for their arraignment. At an initial hearing or arraignment, individuals who have been accused of a crime can hear the formal criminal charges that they are facing and enter a formal plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
Burden of Proof in Criminal Cases
Police must have probable cause to arrest individuals for any crime. Likewise, they generally may not search people, vehicles, or homes without a search warrant, with some exceptions. Individuals also have rights when police are questioning them about a potential crime that a criminal defense lawyer in Loxahatchee may be able to safeguard.
Just as police must have probable cause to carry out an arrest, the Prosecutor must prove that individuals committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt to convict them. If there is any reason to doubt that accused persons committed a crime, then a conviction must not occur. These rights come from the U.S. Constitution and are only a few of the many rights that individuals have when accused of a crime.
If a case proceeds to trial, the resolution ultimately is up to the jury. The prosecution must present enough evidence to convince the jury of the guilt of the accused. The jury must conclude that the defendants committed the crimes charged, beyond any and all reasonable doubt.
Resolving Criminal Cases in Loxahatchee
Most criminal charges end in a plea agreement, which may occur at any stage of the criminal proceedings. Weak evidence or disappearing witnesses sometimes can cause Prosecutors to drop or substantially reduce the charges. Individuals with little or no previous criminal history are more likely to receive a reduction in charges or penalties, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case.
However, when the parties cannot agree on a resolution, the case must proceed to Trial. Having a strong and aggressive defense at Trial by an experienced criminal defense Attorney in Loxahatchee is critical. An effective defense strategy can result in lighter penalties or even an acquittal in appropriate circumstances.
The prosecution and the defense go through a process for choosing a jury of private citizens to decide criminal cases. Both sides can present evidence in support of their position, which can include documentary evidence and witness testimony. After the trial, the jury will decide whether the evidence supports a guilty or not guilty verdict. Our job would be to convince the Jury to render a NOT GUILTY verdict on your behalf.
Contact a Loxahatchee Criminal Attorney
From low-level Misdemeanor offenses to serious Felony offenses, you have a lot at stake when you are facing criminal charges. Your job, relationships, reputation and freedom all may be at risk in a criminal proceeding. The most effective means of combatting criminal accusations may be to enlist the assistance of a Loxahatchee criminal defense Lawyer at Leifert & Leifert.
A criminal conviction also can have collateral effects on your life that you might not anticipate. For example, some criminal convictions can result in the loss of your driver’s license, which can be highly damaging to your ability to work. Being in Jail or prison would make everything difficult for you and your family as well. Avoiding or minimizing these potential consequences can be crucial to the disposition of your case. To get started on building a defense, schedule a consultation today.
