Why Should I Hire An Elizabethtown Criminal Defense Lawyer If I Am Guilty?

How do you know you are guilty? The officer said you were guilty? You were arrested so you must be guilty? You know you committed the crime? Even if you are guilty, the state must prove its case by meeting each element required under Kentucky’s criminal statutes to obtain a conviction. Being arrested does not automatically mean that you are guilty of the alleged crime. You have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty — even if you believe you are guilty.

You have the right to defend yourself against criminal charges and you have the right to be represented by an Elizabethtown criminal defense lawyer. If you have been charged with a crime in central Kentucky, contact an Elizabethtown criminal defense lawyer with Musselwhite Meinhart & Staples, PSC. Call 270-506-4052 to learn how we can help you with your criminal case.

Reasons to Hire An Elizabethtown Criminal Defense Lawyer

You may be thinking that you are going to plead guilty so why should you spend the money to hire a criminal attorney. The prosecution does not care if you hire an attorney. In fact, it is easier for the prosecutor if you do not hire an attorney. The prosecutor can clear your case and move it off his desk quickly with a guilty plea, but the prosecutor is not going to jail. His future is not in jeopardy so why should he care if you plead guilty.

A criminal defense attorney has your best interest as his top priority. In fact, he is the only person in the judicial system who is 100% on your side. You deserve to have an advocate who is on your side and who will speak up for you. Other reasons why you should hire an attorney include:

Protecting Your Legal Rights

If your legal rights are violated at any time from the investigation and arrest through the trial and sentencing, you need an attorney who can spot this violation and take action on your behalf. Regardless of your guilt or innocence, you have the same legal rights as every other person. Hire an attorney to make sure these rights are not trampled upon by law enforcement officers, prosecutors, or the court.

Examine All Options

It is not the prosecutor’s job to explain all of your legal options. The prosecutor encourages you to plead guilty — it is the prosecutor’s job to win cases for the state. However, you may have other options. You should know all of your legal options and the pros and cons of each option before you make up your mind whether to plead guilty or fight the charges.

Presenting Your Case

Even if you are found guilty, you have the right to tell your side of the story to defend yourself. An attorney understands how to present the facts of the case to shine the best light on what happened. This could result in a reduction of the charges and/or a reduced sentence. This is especially true if mitigating circumstances are present.

Mitigating The Consequences

If you are convicted of the crime, your attorney can make sure that you face reasonable punishments for the crime. In some cases, your attorney may even be able to negotiate a lesser sentence given the facts of the case.

An attorney cannot guarantee a positive outcome in any case; however, your attorney will take steps to ensure you receive a fair trial. The judicial system is supposed to treat everyone fairly, but this is not always the case. You need an attorney with experience handling criminal cases to fight for you.

Contact An Elizabethtown Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If you are facing a criminal charge, it is in your best interest to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. Anything you say can be used against you in court; therefore, exercise your right to remain silent except for requesting an attorney. Telling “your side” of the story will not convince law enforcement to drop the charges if you have been arrested. This can only serve to help the prosecution build a stronger case against you by giving law enforcement more information to use against you.

Even if you are just being investigated, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney before answering any questions for officers, detectives, investigators, or prosecutors. Contact Musselwhite Meinhart & Staples, PSC by calling 270-506-4052 or use our online contact form to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney.