Ann Arbor Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested, you should contact a lawyer right away. It’s important to remember that you have the right to remain silent, and you do not have to speak to the police. Furthermore, the police cannot continue to question you until your lawyer is present. 

If you are under investigation, don’t wait to speak with a lawyer until you’ve been arrested and charged. Hiring a lawyer may be able to prevent you from getting charged or at least prevent them from taking advantage of your lack of representation. 

It’s also a good idea to hire a criminal defense lawyer if you’ve been subpoenaed as a witness in a criminal case. They can help you navigate the process and avoid incriminating yourself, depending on your involvement in the incident. 

Prosecutors may tell you that you will get a better outcome if you cooperate, but this is typically not the case. They want to get a conviction as quickly as possible to move on to the next case. As a result, they may pressure you to plead guilty or otherwise incriminate yourself when they don’t have the evidence they need to get a conviction. They are also under no obligation to offer a more lenient sentence simply because you cooperated with them. Working with an Ann Arbor criminal defense attorney is the best chance for getting a fair result.

We recommend that you speak with an Ann Arbor criminal defense attorney before accepting any plea offer. First, they may be offering you a plea deal because they know that the case against you lacks sufficient evidence to convict you. Second, the plea deal they offer may not be fair – defendants in similar circumstances may have gotten better offers. An attorney can evaluate the plea deal you have been offered and help you understand your options.

The police will try to persuade you that only “guilty” people need lawyers. They may even tell you that you don’t need a lawyer because you aren’t a suspect or that everything will be fine if you just cooperate. Unfortunately, the police aren’t obligated to tell you the truth, and in fact, may be trying to trap you.

Most lawyers will provide a free initial consultation. You should be prepared to discuss your charges, but you should also be ready to ask your lawyer questions regarding the following: 

• How many cases like yours they have handled
• What they think you can reasonably expect the outcome to be
• What they see as the challenges in your case
• What their strategy will be

Ultimately, you should hire an attorney that you are confident has the knowledge, skill, and experience to provide an aggressive defense.

Your lawyer will play a critical role in your defense, serving primarily as your advocate. This includes undertaking the following actions:

• Reviewing and analyzing the prosecution’s case against you
• Interviewing witnesses
• Gathering evidence that supports your side
• Speaking with the prosecution on your behalf
• Filing any motions and discovery requests
• Representing you at all court hearings, including trial

An Ann Arbor criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the criminal justice system so that you can get a fair result.