5 Reasons You Should Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are arrested for a drug crime like possession of a controlled dangerous substance or drug sales, you potentially face exposure to incarceration in jail or state prison, substantial fines, probation, a criminal record, and other negative consequences.
A Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Impact the Outcome
While some people qualify for a court appointed attorney, the choice to retain an experienced private Criminal Defense Lawyer can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case. Criminal Defense law firms that specifically represent individuals charged with the full spectrum of drug crimes in the state and federal courts of Minnesota on a regular basis have the skill and experience to mitigate the impact of such charges.
The 5 Reasons to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Whether we are fighting for an acquittal based on the suppression of methamphetamine or paraphernalia obtained in an unlawful search, or seeking diversion for a first-time offender with a small amount of marijuana, there are a number ways we can guide you through the process and protect your interests.
Reason #1: He or she can anticipate your exposure
An experienced Criminal Defense lawyer can anticipate your potential exposure in terms of a formal sentence as well as informal long-term consequences. If you are facing drug charges, you need a clear understanding of the potential range of penalties in all forms to make informed decisions about whether to accept a specific plea deal or proceed to trial. While this might seem self-evident, you also need to understand the less immediate impact of a disposition, such as penalty enhancement for future cases, immigration consequences, eligibility for record clearing, and employment-related effects.
Reason #2: They already understand the process
Because criminal defense attorneys at Gerald Miller, PA routinely represent individuals in front of judges throughout the Twin Cities area, they have familiarity with their preferences and predisposition regarding specific circumstances and sentencing issues. In certain cases, we might intervene especially early in the process by communicating with the prosecutor to impact the decision as to which charges and the severity of charges filed. Our “insider knowledge” permits us to evaluate plea offers, diversion opportunities, and potential defense strategies with insight into what to expect from the prosecutor and judge.
Reason #3: He is devoted to your case
Even if you qualify for a public defender, there are benefits to working with a private criminal defense attorney. Public defenders typically are experienced and dedicated, but they work within the financial constraints of limited agency funding. Meetings with a public defender might be limited to brief encounters in the halls of the courthouse on the day of a hearing. Further, budgetary constraints also can limit access to expensive forensic testing and experts that can be effective in strengthening your defense strategy. At Gerald Miller, P.A., we limit our caseload which permits us to devote our resources and time to individuals we are defending. We also take the time to meet with our client to demystify the process and inform them regarding their rights and viable defense strategies.
Reason #4: She has experience with defending drug crimes
Many drug cases involve searches that recover drugs or contraband while infringing on Fourth Amendment search and seizure protections. Our experience seeking suppression of such evidence involves carefully analyzing evidence used to obtain a warrant, the scope and specificity of the warrant, and the execution of the search. Suppression of illegally obtained narcotics often can result in dismissal of the charges or a significant reduction in the nature of the charge or punishment.
Reason #5: They can mitigate the impact to your family
While staying out of jail often constitutes the first priority of many people accused of a Minnesota drug crime, sometimes families need to be protected if some period of incarceration is likely or inevitable. Our law firm can work with those facing drug charges to help keep their family out of harm’s way by mitigating the economic impact of a drug case and avoiding seizures of property and/or assets.
Whether you are facing a charge for possession of marijuana or the sale of cocaine, we invite you to speak to a Criminal Defense Lawyer at Gerald Miller, P.A. as soon as possible. The sooner you contact us the sooner we can start protecting your rights, so contact us immediately to schedule your free and confidential case evaluation. You can call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at (612) 440-4620 to learn more about how we can make a difference for you.
