Frequently Asked Questions
I was recently arrested. What should I do? If you were recently
arrested, contact an attorney as soon as possible.
By working with an attorney immediately, you have a better chance to get a favorable
outcome for your case. Even if you were not formally charged or if you are under
investigation for a crime, you will need a criminal
defense attorney who can look out for your rights and make sure that they
are not violated at any time throughout the entire criminal process.
Will I go to jail even if this is my first DUI? Even if this is
your first offense for driving under the influence
(DUI) or any other crime, there is always the possibility that you will spend time
in jail or prison, depending upon the severity of the crime you are accused of.
By working with a lawyer, however, you can avoid maximum penalties and may be able
to avoid a conviction and jail time altogether.
Can the police search my car or property? The police can only search
your car or your home if they have a warrant or probable cause. If these factors
are not present, this may be an illegal search and seizure and could result in the
dismissal of some or all evidence collected.
Should I plead guilty or not guilty? If I plead guilty, will
the judge show me some leniency in my sentencing? Without knowing the
specifics of your particular case, it is impossible to determine whether you should
plead guilty or not guilty. At times, it may benefit you to plead guilty as a way
of bargaining for a lesser sentence. Frequently, however, it is better to plead
not guilty and to fight the charges you face. Either way, your defense lawyer can
advise you on what to do.
I was wrongly accused of a crime. Do I still need a lawyer? Even
if you did not commit the crime you were accused of, there is no doubt that you
will need a lawyer to defend your rights. The introduction of DNA testing has resulted
in hundreds of cases being overturned, where convicted individuals were discovered
to be innocent and released from prison, sometimes tens of years after their sentence.
This is proof that the justice system is not perfect and that you need a lawyer
on your side that can fight the charges you face.
Can’t I defend myself? Do I really need an attorney? As an
American, you have the right to represent yourself, if you choose to do so. The
fact is that the other attorney in your case, the prosecutor, will have years of
training and experience and will have knowledge of all the laws pertaining to your
case. Therefore by hiring your own attorney, you have a fighting chance to go against
the prosecution and to secure a not guilty verdict.
At Coffey & Coffey, we defend those accused of a crime in Laguna Niguel, Fullerton,
Newport Beach, Santa Ana and Westminster, California. As Orange County criminal
defense lawyers, we have what it takes to effectively defend those accused of a
criminal offense in California.
Contact an Orange County criminal defense attorney
at Coffey & Coffey today!
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