Criminal Law Review

We all need a helping hand from time to time. But when you are charged with a serious criminal offense, that hand of help should come from a capable criminal defense attorney. After all, that hand holds your fate-whether you’ll be acquitted or convicted of the crime charged against you.

The primary task of a criminal defense attorney is to guide you through the legal proceedings of your case. If you are charged with a crime in Seattle or in the state of Washington, your best choice for an attorney is a criminal defense attorney in Seattle. Local attorneys will serve you better as they are familiar with the state’s laws and it’s court system and proceedings. A local criminal attorney will also be familiar with the state prosecutors and judges and rulings. Hence, he or she can anticipate any latent issues that may be brought up in the trial. He or she could also tell you the effects a legal procedure would have on your case.

A local criminal defense attorney should also exhibit an expertise and experience in handling the defense. Look into their experience by comparing the number of cases they have tried and settled, and the number of cases they have tried and won.

In addition, when choosing a capable criminal attorney, make sure that you choose an attorney that specializes in cases similar to yours. Criminal attorneys in Seattle can cover criminal cases involving murder, assaults, sexual offense, domestic violence, kidnapping, robbery, drug offense, traffic violations, DUI, and vehicular manslaughter.

A capable criminal defense attorney should be able to identify your rights, explain to you the charges filed against you, what does it entail, what are its implications, what does the prosecution need to prove, and how can evidence be used against you. He or she should also tell you what to expect should you settle or push for a trial.

Never trust an attorney that promises an acquittal or victory right at the beginning. The justice system is complex; no one can ever predict the precise outcome at all times.

Make sure that your criminal defense attorney provides a complete coverage of your legal needs. He or she should cover the details of your arrest, posting bails, contacts with the police and prosecutors, as well as the coverage of any criminal charge. Make sure that you receive a guarantee of trial preparation. Some criminal defense attorneys would represent their clients during negotiations for plea bargains and settlements, but refuse to represent them in court. A good criminal defense attorney should follow you through the entire legal process.

A Las Vegas DUI lawyer receives no shortage of frantic calls from clients who can only provide him with sketchy details of their arrest incident. One of the first things a Las Vegas DUI attorney will do for a client is to review all the information contained in an arrest report. The arrest report contains all the testimony recorded by all parties involved. The officer who detains an individual will complete his statements and they will be included. Any statements issued by the arrested individual will be included and any accounts provided by third-parties will also be available in this report. Looking through this information can prove to be extremely useful as a client and their representative try to reconstruct the details of the incident. Often times there are particular statements, details, or technical information that may be useful to them as they build a defense against the pending charges. One such detail which can often prove very beneficial as a defense is being prepared is the blood alcohol level recorded at the time of arrest. The details surrounding the BAC, as it is commonly referred to, should be carefully viewed by one’s legal representative.

The BAC in very simple terms is the amount of alcohol able to be measured in one’s blood. In the United States any BAC of 0.08% or higher is considered to be an unacceptable level for operating a motor vehicle. There is really no way to accurately measure how few or how many drinks it may take to reach such a level. Obviously such factors as height and weight contribute to a determination, as does an individual’s metabolism. If an individual takes pain medication or prescription medication, then that too can have an effect on how alcohol is metabolized throughout the body. When someone is requested to pull over because of suspicions of impairment, an officer’s opinion is not solely sufficient to determine an individual’s drunkenness. A BAC test must be administered in addition to any visual evidence an officer may claim to have seen. If an individual will not cooperate in taking a BAC test or if the test is taken and a BAC level is over acceptable limits then chances are, the charges will be deemed to have merit. If, however, one’s legal representative can show that the test was administered incorrectly or against a client’s will, this can give a defense a basis for argument. If the BAC registers within legal limits and a client is still detained there can also be legal ramifications associated with that scenario.

Since BAC tests are one of the biggest factors in a defense against operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a good legal representative will know just what to be looking for in an arrest report. He will be checking to see that the BAC test was administered correctly and that all recorded results are documented properly. One’s counsel can also explain all the defense options an individual may have, especially as it relates to the results of having taken or having refused a BAC test.

The issue of purchasing and possessing weapons in the United States has been a volatile and very difficult issue for many people. Most people understand that it is legal to purchase and possess firearms for personal protection and hunting, but many do not know where the line is drawn between legal and illegal weapons and the laws regarding possession.

It is important to know the specific laws in your state and realize that weapons possession laws may vary depending on location. If an individual is apprehended while carrying an unlawful weapon, he or she may face serious criminal charges. Depending on the type of weapon and the person’s criminal history the charges may be very serious or relatively minor.

Weapons that may be considered unlawful include automatic weapons, sawed-off shotguns, items that have been modified to become a dangerous weapon, hollow-point bullets, switchblades, butterfly knives, brass knuckles, and other types of items that have been deemed too dangerous for public use. If a person is found to be in possession with such objects, he or she can be charged with illegal weapons possession.

Many people do not realize that although some types of guns and other items may be legal to possess in the safety of your own home, some types of handguns and other weapons may be illegal to carry on certain types of property. Government buildings, schools, establishments that sell and serve liquor, and certain public buildings may be off-limits to persons who are in possession of weapons.

Places that prohibit the carrying of licensed handguns typically post signs warning of their requirements and the potential criminal charges that may come with ignoring such warnings. It is important that individuals pay attention to such signage and follow the rules regarding locations that are off-limits to persons carrying weapons.

If you have been accused of carrying an illegal or unauthorized weapon, you have the right to defend yourself in a court of law. The penalties for carrying unlicensed or unauthorized weapons often range from fines and probation to license revocation and incarceration. It is important to know the laws in your state and to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney if you are accused of such crimes.

If you would like to know more about weapons possession and criminal defense, visit the website of the Milwaukee criminal defense lawyers of Kohler & Hart, LLP.