There is no such thing as a trivial criminal charge. Any charge, from a petty crime to a felony, should be taken seriously. Even if you’re facing the smallest of penalties, having the guidance and advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you mitigate the charge’s impact.
If you or a loved one have been charged, arrested, or indicted, don’t fight the system alone. Proudly serving the people of Dauphin County and beyond, the experienced criminal defense team at the Grace Legal Offices is prepared to fight for you, your best interests, your freedom, and your future. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can help you get the situation under control.
1. Experience, Legally and Locally
In the law, there are two different kinds of experience: legal and local. Legal experience speaks to a lawyer’s understanding of the laws and procedures. Local speaks to the lawyer’s knowledge of local rules, local prosecutors, local resources, and local judges. Both legal and local experience and knowledge are incredibly important to secure the best possible outcome. Your lawyer’s legal experience will help them best navigate the charges, turning to laws, statutes, and previous cases that go in your favor. On the other hand, your lawyer’s local experience will help them know who to turn to, be it investigators or expert witnesses, how to best handle negotiations with a prosecutor they’ve undoubtedly encountered before, and even what a local judge’s pet peeves are.
2. Protecting Your Rights
Everyone has heard the Miranda rights speech. The “you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you” speech. However, legally, these are not your only rights, and those rights need to be invoked in a very specific manner. Moreover, you can’t assume that your rights will be protected if you and your attorney don’t fight for them. There are countless cases of alleged perpetrators’ rights being violated by police. You need an attorney who can help you invoke your rights and uphold your rights, and who will know and fight when those rights have been violated.
3. Investigating and Collecting Evidence
It is never advisable for a defendant to collect evidence alone. Not only is it likely to yield few results, but depending on who the defendant reaches out to and how they do it, it can actually land them in more legal trouble. Discovery, or the collection and sharing of evidence between the prosecution and defense, is a delicate process with many nuanced rules. An experienced attorney will know how to go about collecting the evidence and will have the resources to conduct a more thorough investigation.
4. Finding the Best Strategy, Tailored for You
No two criminal cases are alike. A seasoned criminal defense attorney can look at the circumstances surrounding the alleged crime and help mount a robust defense. They will help you explore the options, build a narrative, and present the evidence in the light most favorable to your case.
5. Negotiating the Best Possible Outcome
Only about 2% of criminal cases in the United States ever go to trial. That means 98% are resolved through negotiations, whether the charges are reduced, dropped, or a plea bargain is reached. An experienced attorney will know how to best negotiate with your best interests at the forefront of their mind. And, if necessary, they will advocate for you if your case is one of the 2% that reaches a courtroom.
Your Expert Criminal Defense Team: How Grace Legal Can Help
Facing criminal charges is one of the most scary and stressful experiences that a person and their loved ones can endure. With a future filled with uncertainty, you need a trusted attorney who will let you rest assured that you’re exploring every avenue to mitigate the charges’ impact on your life and future. You need an attorney who is relentless, aggressive, and will always put your best interests first.
Grace Legal proudly serves the people of Dauphin County and Greater Pennsylvania. Let us help you fight for the best possible outcome. We will exhaust every option to minimize the penalties, or, ideally, get the charges dismissed altogether. Contact us today or call us at (717) 635-8780. The sooner you call, the more options you have to reach the best possible outcome.
