Upstate New York residents who are confronted with criminal charges related to violent crimes will undoubtedly be concerned about their situation. Regardless of the reason why the incident happened, these allegations carry with them substantial penalties, if there is a conviction. That can extend to jail time, fines and the stigma of a possible felony attached to them for a lifetime. The key to a successful resolution, whether that means an acquittal or a plea bargain is to have a strong legal defense.
People who hear the words, “violent crimes” might not be fully aware of the numerous different acts that are encompassed within the phrase. It can involve aggravated assault, simple assault or battery, a domestic incident, weapons crimes, armed robbery, a DWI accident that results in vehicular manslaughter charges, assaults involving juveniles, such as a fight at school, sexual assault and even road rage.
Depending on the outcome of the incident, the charges can lead to potential penalties of years in prison. Perhaps there were mitigating circumstances. It might be that there was a medical issue that led to the reaction in which violence resulted. Or, it could be that the person just made a mistake. A conviction can negatively impact a person’s ability to get a job, be admitted to a school, or to enter the military. It is essential to have a lawyer who understands the ins and outs of criminal defense.
When charged with a violent crime whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, the first step that the person should take is to contact an attorney. Legal help should not be ignored as the failure to have an attorney can lead to mistakes that can make the situation worse. A criminal defense lawyer can give advice and guidance from the time immediately after the arrest and throughout the process.