Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyer
At Cappellini Law, our criminal law lawyers have experience dealing with many criminal cases including DUIs and assaults. If you or a loved one needs legal representation for a criminal matter, call Cappellini Law. Often, our Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyer can get back to you within an hour.
Representing Pennsylvania Clients for over 30 Years.
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Picking The Right Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyer
Being arrested, charged, and accused of a crime can be a terrifying experience. When this happens, people often find themselves forgetting their rights. This can, unfortunately, make matters worse. An experienced criminal law attorney can coach you on your rights and can guide you through the situation.
What is a criminal defense case?
How Do I Know If I Have a Criminal Defense Case
In many criminal cases, defendants choose to plead guilty early on in the process in order to save time or get a deal from the prosecutor. However, there are many times the defendant should consult with a criminal defense lawyer. If any of the following applies to you, consider speaking with a criminal defense lawyer.
- Police have asked to question you
- Have been charged with a crime
- There is a constitutional issue in your case
- Are considering taking your case to trial
- Been offered a plea bargain
- Need or want to be bailed out of jail
- You need legal advice
In some situations, you may not even need an attorney to actually represent you in court. However, you might want to consult with an experienced attorney to discuss your rights and options. The attorney may discuss with you more information about the charges against you and any potential defenses you might have. It is essential to get the advice of an attorney if you are being charged with a felony.
When should I call a lawyer?
How To Know When You Need Representation
In some cases like a DUI, criminal charges can come upon you suddenly. Other times you may know they are coming. If you are under investigation for a crime it can be hard to determine if you need a criminal attorney. But holding off and waiting can affect your rights and freedom in the long run. It is never too early to contact a criminal defense attorney!
A criminal defense lawyer can help before any charges have been filed against you. When you are the target of a criminal investigation, it can feel like you are all alone against the police, the prosecutors, and the government. You need to know your rights and having a lawyer on your side will help you through the process.
Are you or a loved one concerned that you are going to be charged with a crime? Contact our criminal defense lawyers at Cappellini Law!
How do I decide which criminal defense lawyer is right for me?
How To Pick the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer
There are many criminal defense lawyers in northeast Pennsylvania. If you have come into a situation that may result in charges (from felonies, misdemeanors, drug charges, white-collar crimes, and many other state and federal crimes) you want to find the best lawyer possible and quickly. Your future is on the line! When looking for a criminal defense lawyer, you'll want to find the best one for your case. As such, you should concentrate on the lawyer's expertise, skill level, and knowledge.
A good criminal defense lawyer may help:
- Reduce your criminal charge to a lesser offense (for example, reduce a felony to a misdemeanor)
- Lessen the severity of the punishment for the crime
- Reduce or eliminate jail time (via probation, for example)
- Help you develop a sound defense strategy (if your case goes to trial).
Also, because of what's at stake, it's important that the attorney you plan hire has the necessary skill level needed to defend your case. Depending upon your specific case your attorney might need experience in crime scene investigations, witness/victim/police interviewing, and/or extensive knowledge of polygraphs, sketches, photographs, and video.
Finally, because criminal laws and penalties vary by state, it's important that the attorney has experience with the state and local rules of court.
What questions will be answered when I meet with a lawyer for the first time?
What Will a Criminal Defense Lawyer Tell Me
Meeting with a lawyer may be intimidating, but Cappellini Law will do whatever we can to put you at ease. We will listen carefully to everything you have to tell us about your case and answer all of your questions about the criminal process. We will help you understand what kind of criminal consequences you are facing, and what your options may be. We will also explain your best defense. However, no two cases are the same and no outcome projection is guaranteed.
During your initial consultation, your criminal defense attorney at Cappellini Law will carefully review your case. If you decide to hire our firm for your legal defense, we will provide you with an assessment of your case and help you decide how to proceed with your case.
What information should I bring to my first consultation?
What Does my Criminal Defense Lawyer Need to Know
To best prepare for an efficient first meeting with your criminal defense attorney you should bring the following:
- Important documents - this may include any paperwork that describes the offense you've been charged with, supporting affidavits, orders of protection, receipts for property taken by police, upcoming court dates, bail papers. If you have a prior criminal history, any information on your previous cases would also be helpful.
- Any information that led to the incident - this will help your attorney understand your case better.
When do I have to start paying lawyers’ fees?
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?
If you are considering hiring a criminal lawyer - chances are you are already in a difficult situation and need help quickly. All criminal charges, small or large, are a serious matter that can lead to consequences. Charges can lead to jail time, creation of a criminal record, monetary fines, loss of future or current employment and more. Therefore, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced criminal attorney quickly to help you with your charges.
Regardless of your scenario, the constitution grants you the right to counsel in criminal prosecutions. In case you cannot afford a lawyer then the court will appoint you one. However, if the court determines you can afford one (based on your income and assets) then you may either hire a private attorney or represent yourself.
Criminal defense attorney costs will typically vary based upon various factors. This can include the severity of the charges that you are facing, the notoriety or experience of the attorney, the complexity of the legal issues, and if the case will go to trial. Therefore, it is important when hiring a criminal defense attorney to discuss the attorney’s fees prior to entering into a written contract.
Are you or a loved one concerned that you are going to be charged with a crime? Contact our criminal defense lawyers at Cappellini Law!
