Andover Criminal Defense Lawyers

There are different factors that can impact what an attorney in Andover will charge for handling your criminal case. Lawyers with extensive experience or larger client rosters will generally charge more than attorneys that are new to the professional. Having extensive name recognition can also impact what an attorney charges.

The way that a lawyer bills for their services can also vary. Many criminal defense attorneys work on an hourly basis. They set their hourly rate, track every minute they spend on your case, and charge that amount as your case progresses. Often, this is coupled with a retainer, which is a pool of money you are required to pay upfront. As your attorney works on your case, they will periodically draw their fee from this pool.

The good news is that you never have to hire an attorney without first having a clear picture of their billing structure. Our firm offers free consultations, giving you the chance to learn about our fees and ask any questions you might have about the process in general.

There are numerous consequences that come with criminal charges in Andover. The specific penalties you face will depend largely on what you have been charged with. Felonies carry the steepest penalties, misdemeanors are serious matters that can impact your life in many ways. The traditional penalties associated with these convictions are incarceration and monetary fines, but there are many ways your life could be impacted.

The additional consequences of conviction also vary across types of criminal cases. If you are found guilty of DUI, you will have your driving privileges suspended. A sex crimes conviction can land you on the sex offender registry. Our attorneys can advise you of the potential issues you may face.

The good news is that all of these consequences have one thing in common—a conviction. If you beat your charges, you can walk away from this process with a clean record and avoid these penalties entirely. That is why it is so important to seek out legal counsel right away.

There are situations where the prosecution might agree to drop the charges against you. This is not the most common outcome, as the state will generally push for a conviction even when the evidence against you is relatively weak. That said, your lawyer could push the prosecution to drop your charges. This is common in cases where your lawyer is able to successfully have some or all of the state’s evidence excluded at trial.

You might be able to see your case dismissed even if the prosecution refuses to drop your charges. The judge overseeing your case has the power to end your case your permanently, but your lawyer will need to file a motion with the court to make that outcome possible.

Hiring a lawyer might be the best thing for your criminal charges in Andover, but you are the only person that can decide to hire legal counsel or not. When you act as your own lawyer, you are at risk of making a mistake that could complicate your case.

Your attorney could assist you in countless ways. From investigating the facts to negotiating with the state, their effort could be invaluable in helping you get the outcome you deserve.

Negotiated plea bargains are a common way to resolve criminal charges in Andover. The state is not obligated to make you an offer, but they generally will in most cases.

Deciding whether to accept a plea or not is a big decision, and your attorney could provide you with important context. This starts with advising you on what cases like yours often lead to in terms of penalties when they go to trail.