If Charged with a Crime Choose Your Criminal Defense Lawyer Carefully

If you are in need of a Miami criminal lawyer, it is important that you choose your legal representative carefully. Too often someone who is charged with a crime is found guilty due to the fact that they have legal counsel that is inadequate, inexperienced, and/or ineffective.

Case in Point

On October 28, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the execution of a Missouri man who was convicted of killing a woman and her two children due to concerns that his legal counsel had been ineffective.

The delay in execution meant that Mark Christeson, 35, who was scheduled to die by injection at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, at the state prison in Bonne Terre, would have a bit more time on this earth while the court determined his fate.

The reason for the stay by the court, which was the possibility that Christeson was represented by poor legal counsel, is also a warning to anyone facing criminal charges.

If you are charged with a crime, you must make sure that your criminal lawyer is experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate about defending you. Having a savvy, veteran attorney can make all the difference between your being found guilty or not guilty.

What to Look for in a Miami Criminal Attorney

In the Miami area, law enforcement is very aggressive. There are reports in the newspapers of racial profiling, officers trying to meet arrest quotas, and officers tracking suspects through their cell phones.

All of these actions are questionable at best, and each type of activity serves as a warning to anyone who may find that they are accused of being involved in a criminal activity. That warning: when charged with a crime you may be the victim of law enforcement gone array.

If you are arrested, you must contact a Miami criminal defense lawyer immediately. If you do not have an attorney, then you should select one who will be able to communicate and meet with you in a timely manner. Your criminal defense attorney should have experience and success in all aspects of the Florida criminal court system.

Commitment and Personalized Service

It is essential that your criminal lawyer be committed to your defense in every manner and that they provide you with service that is specifically tapered to your needs.

A good defense lawyer will be working with you from the very start, protecting your rights, and making sure that law enforcement adheres to the letter of the law.

Examples of situations in which a criminal defense lawyer may be able to have charges dropped against you include instances when your Miranda rights have been violated, when you have been treated in a prejudicial manner, or when you or your property have been searched without just cause.

In these and other instances a smart, aggressive, veteran criminal defense lawyer will be able to alert the court of such violations of your rights and move to dismiss any charges brought against you.

Protect Your Rights

If you are arrested for a crime, you must protect your rights. When you are arrested and given your Miranda warning, which informs you that you have the right to remain silent, to consult with legal counsel, and that anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, make sure that you preserve your rights and remain silent.

You will also be informed that you have the right to legal counsel. That means that you can contact your lawyer before undergoing questioning. It is essential that you do so, that you speak with your criminal defense attorney, and that your lawyer is always present during any and all questioning by law enforcement.

If you are in need of a Miami criminal defense lawyer, contact The Law Office of Paul J. Donnelly, P.A. One of our defense attorneys will meet with you as soon as possible, learn the particulars of your case, make sure that your rights are preserved, and work hard to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome in relationship to your situation.

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