3 Things to Know About the Criminal Law Process
The criminal law process involves many steps, and you might have questions about it if the court has charges against you. One vital thing to know is that you will need to hire a criminal lawyer if you are facing any charges. Criminal lawyers help defendants through their cases. They answer questions and do many other important things to help your case. Here are three vital things you might want to know about the criminal law process if you face charges.
1. The Process Begins with an Arrest
The criminal law process will often begin with an arrest. To make an arrest, the police must have a legitimate reason, such as if they catch you committing a crime or when the court tells them to take you under custody. Courts have the authority to determine whether to pursue criminal charges against a person or not. If you get arrested, this is the first of many steps you will have to face as you work through your criminal charges.
2. You Must Go to an Arraignment Hearing Shortly Afterward
After getting arrested, the court might allow you to get out on bail. Whether you get out on bail or not, you must attend a court hearing shortly afterward. Courts call this an arraignment hearing, and this serves several purposes.
First, the purpose of an arraignment hearing is to explain the charges the court has against you. Secondly, it gives you the chance to respond to the charges by stating your plea. Finally, it gives you the chance to ask the court for a public defender if you cannot afford to hire a criminal lawyer yourself.
3. You Decide How to Proceed
The important thing to know is that you will get to decide how to proceed with your case after the arraignment hearing. If you want to plead not guilty, you might decide to go through a criminal trial. If you are willing to plead guilty, you might be able to avoid a trial by accepting the plea bargain that the court will offer you.
As you start planning your case, you will need to hire a criminal lawyer if you have not done so yet. Hiring a criminal lawyer is the smart way to proceed with criminal charges, and you can learn more by contacting a criminal law firm in your city. Keep this information in mind when looking for the right lawyer to represent you.
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