Sometimes, a person is arrested, and they’ll decide to accept the charges against them by pleading guilty. They might feel as if there isn’t a valid defense for their situation because there’s a significant amount of evidence against them. This is especially common with drug charges where a person might be caught with drugs on them. However, this often isn’t a good idea. It’s usually better to at least consult with one of the Criminal Defense Lawyers in Ferndale WA to find out what their options might be.
When a person pleads guilty, it’s up to the judge to sentence them. In many cases, the judge will sentence them to the maximum penalties allowed by law, which could include a significant amount of time in jail and a large amount of fines. Even a misdemeanor is going to have an impact on the person’s future, but a felony can severely restrict their ability to find a job or place to live and will mean they lose some of their basic rights like the right to own a firearm or to vote. Instead, the person should avoid pleading until they speak with a lawyer.
In some cases, the lawyer might be able to have the charges dropped. Using the drug charges example, this could happen even with a significant amount of evidence against the person because the person might not have been stopped properly, might not have been searched properly, or because the evidence wasn’t held properly. There’s a lot the average person doesn’t know about searches and seizures that could make a significant difference in their case and could mean the charges could be dropped. A lawyer, however, will be able to look through their case files and the evidence against them to determine if this is possible.
If you’ve been arrested, make sure you contact one of the Criminal Defense Lawyers in Ferndale WA as quickly as possible. They know all of the procedures and laws relevant to your case and can make sure you get a far better outcome for your case. Even if the charges can’t be dropped, they can typically help you get lower penalties. For more information on how a lawyer can help or to find a lawyer to speak with, contact The Law Offices of Michael K. Tasker today.
