When another person commits a harmful act toward you or someone you care about, it is human to retaliate. Unfortunately, many forms of retaliation are against the law. In an effort to defend your honor, you could end up with an assault charge. If you've found yourself in this unfortunate predicament, it's good to know what's ahead and what you should do.
The Negative Effects of Deferred Prosecution
Deferred prosecution is a catch-all term for a variety of criminal intervention programs throughout the United States. These programs are designed to help first-time offenders avoid having a criminal conviction on their record. Deferred prosecution places a defendant's criminal case on hold while he or she participates in a program designed to punish, educate, and rehabilitate. These programs vary from state to state and according to the alleged criminal offense, but they often include fines, classes, and community service as primary components. If a defendant completes the program, the prosecutor's office will then drop the criminal case. If, however, a defendant fails to complete the program, the criminal case will resume.
Defending Yourself in Criminal Matters Could Backfire
People who represent themselves at criminal trials seldom have a good outcome. While they may study the laws related to their case and think they are ready to defend against criminal charges, their lack of experience tends to backfire on them in ways they never anticipated. If you're facing criminal charges, it's important to consider the potential consequences if the prosecution can prove its case against you. With so much on the line, hiring an experienced defense attorney is the only logical thing to do.
Infographic: Best Answers to Your Criminal Defense Questions
We have a new infographic up courtesy of the Arizona Criminal Law Team. No offense to public defenders, but a lawyer provided by the court isn’t exactly your best chance of beating a criminal charge. View our infographic now.
What to Do if You Find Yourself in Federal Court
The federal criminal trial process can be a confusing and scary one, especially for those unfamiliar with legal proceedings in general. Luckily, Houston is home to some of the best federal criminal attorneys and trial lawyers in the country--which can (and often does) mean the difference between a win and a loss.
What Is Conscious Avoidance and How Can It Land You in Jail?
In many criminal cases, especially in federal white collar prosecutions, the defense is "I didn't know what those other people were doing." This defense is in line with a basic principle of our criminal justice system -- that people are only responsible for their own actions. However, there are times when it simply doesn't work.
Do You Need a Lawyer? How to Find an Attorney You Can Count On
Finding a good lawyer is an important part of dealing with any sort of legal problem. Whether you need a trust drawn up or a will created, the right attorney will help you get the job done as quickly and painlessly as possible. Unfortunately, many people aren't quite sure how to find a trustworthy lawyer. If you've never had to meet with someone for legal advice or counseling, chances are that you are unsure of where to start searching. No matter what type of lawyer you need, there are several ways you can be sure to get the best help possible for your personal situation.
What Are the Limits On Protective Sweeps?
When police are in a home due to consent, a warrant, or exigent circumstances, their actions are generally limited to the specific purpose for which they entered, and any searches not directly related to that purpose violate the Fourth Amendment. One exception is a protective sweep, which allows officers to check for additional people or immediately accessible weapons. However, as one federal court recently affirmed, officers may not automatically conduct a protective sweep in all circumstances.
4 Tips About Weapon Charges You need to Know
Weapons offenses generally arise in two circumstances. One is as an add-on charge to a violent crime. The second is when police search a person or their vehicle after making contact for some other reason such as during a routine traffic stop. No matter what the original circumstances were, police arresting someone on a weapons charge must have discovered the weapon through legal means.
What is Solicitation for Prostitution?
Being charged with solicitation of or patronizing prostitution can have long lasting effects. In addition to the criminal consequences, prostitution charges carry a stigma that may result in family problems, losing a job, and a damaged reputation in the community. Although you may want to just go into a shell and cut yourself off from the outside world following a prostitution-related arrest, the better course of action is to start aggressively fighting the charges as soon as possible.
