Inver Grove Heights Criminal Defense Lawyers

There is not a uniform cost for hiring a defense attorney in Inver Grove Heights. Each lawyer has the power to determine what they will charge their clients. Often, attorneys will bill by the hour. This involves setting an hourly rate and then tracking the amount of time they spend on your case.

Other lawyers might agree to a flat fee agreement. That means you will pay a set amount to have your lawyer handle the case from start to finish. There are also lawyers that take a hybrid approach. For example, they might charge one fee if you case settles but require more should it go to trial.

The rate that an attorney charges can depend on a few different factors. Generally, lawyers with an extensive client roster or years of experience will be able to charge more than someone straight out of law school. You don’t have to guess about these costs, as you can learn about an attorney’s fee structure during the course of a free consultation.

The legal jeopardy you face depends in part on the specific offense you have been charged with. Every criminal charge is considered either a felony or a misdemeanor. Misdemeanors are considered to be the least-severe of the two, as they carry a maximum jail term of one year. However, any criminal conviction is a serious matter that could impact your life forever.
Felonies have much steeper penalties, but they can also vary dramatically. Felony drug possession or assault convictions might result in a few years in jail, where rape or murder charges could put someone behind bars for the rest of their lives.

The most important thing to remember is that you will only face these penalties if you are convicted of a crime. You have the right to fight back, and a successful defense could allow you to walk away without a conviction on your record. Our firm is here to help you get the best possible outcome.

It may be possible to have the charges against you dopped, but that decision is out of your hands. The prosecutor handling your case can dismiss your charges, but they are unlikely to do so without a good reason. Your attorney might be able to have your case dismissed if it is clear the evidence is not strong enough to convict you.

There are some prosecutors that will aggressively pursue a conviction even when the evidence against you is weak. In these situations, you still have the opportunity to file a motion to dismiss with the judge. The court may dismiss your case if your attorney can provide legal grounds that either require them to do so, or that make it clear it would be unjust for the case to continue.

Hiring a lawyer is a big decision, and it is one that only you can make. You don’t have an obligation to seek legal help, but acting as your own attorney is a risk you might not be able to afford. A single error during the course of your case could lead to an avoidable conviction. Hiring an attorney could also provide you with peace of mind knowing that a professional is handling every aspect of your defense.

Plea bargains are a common tool used by prosecutors in criminal cases. Whether or not you should accept an offer from the state is a different story. Your attorney could help you evaluate an offer made by the state and potentially counter with terms of your own. There are also times when your best bet is to reject a plea and take your case to trial. The decision to plead guilty is yours to make, but an attorney can provide you with the information you need to make these determinations.