Under the U.S. Constitution, anyone accused of a crime has the right to the defense of a lawyer, and it is this criminal defense lawyer who represents a defendant both in and out of court. While there are no hard statistics on how many people choose to represent themselves in criminal cases, the estimates find that less than 1% choose to do so. The fact is, defendants charged with a crime are almost always better served by obtaining a lawyer, especially when jail time or a prison sentence is a possible outcome.
It’s important to realize that a good criminal defense attorney brings more to the table than a simple understanding of the law by the books. A criminal defense lawyer brings a wealth of experience to a case, including knowledge of important legal rules or court interpretations, a familiarity with local court customs and procedures, as well as relationships with local prosecutors and experience in being able to cut deals for leniency or reduced charges.
While anyone facing a criminal charge would be best served by having a lawyer on their side, there are a number of especially common crimes in the United States which should most definitely necessitate the use of a criminal defense lawyer.
Property Crimes
Property crimes are the most common criminal charges in the United States and are crimes not directed at individuals but rather personal property and thus do not usually involve injured victims or death. The main property crimes are burglary (also known as breaking and entering), larceny-theft (including pick-pocketing and shoplifting), motor vehicle theft, and arson (which sometimes can result in injuries or death).
Drug and Alcohol Crimes
Drug charges include offenses ranging from unlawful possession, manufacture, use, or sale of illegal or controlled substances. The most common drug charges stem from marijuana, opioids (including heroin and pharmaceutical drugs), cocaine, and methamphetamines.
Alcohol-related crimes are most often related to DUI or DWI charges but can also include public intoxication charges.
Violent Crimes
The third most common group of charges include violent offenses which is the use of physical force as well as the threat or attempt to use violence.
This category of crimes includes murder and non-negligent manslaughter, robbery (which is different from other forms of theft as it may involve actual injury or threats with a deadly weapon), forcible rape, and aggravated assault.
Finding a Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or a loved one is facing a criminal charge, then it is imperative to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Even relatively minor criminal charges can lead to time spent behind bars along with a conviction that will continue to haunt you for years, even long after your sentence is complete.
While you may realize you need a lawyer, it’s important to understand that not any lawyer will do. Every attorney tends to focus on a general area of expertise, it is where they practice their craft and learn the ins and outs within each niche. You don’t want a lawyer who handles wills, divorces, or real estate deals, but a criminal defense attorney who is an expert at what they do and who handles the type of cases you’ve been charged with.
The team at Fears Nachawati includes some of the best criminal defense attorneys in the state of Texas, and we have attorneys that specialize in a wide-range of criminal charges, ranging from misdemeanors to felony charges. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can defend yourself and don’t accept a busy and overworked public defender.
When you retain the services of an experienced Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer like those at Fears Nachawati, you can be assured that our team will fight tirelessly to defend your rights and your freedom.
If you’ve been charged with a crime, then don’t delay in reaching out to the attorneys at Fears Nachawati for a free, no obligation legal consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. Please call (866) 705-7584 or visit the offices of Fears Nachawati located throughout the great state of Texas, including in Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.