Why Should I Hire A Criminal Defense Attorney?

They Can Protect Your Rights- The average person has a very limited understanding of what the police are allowed to do to make an arrest. A good defense attorney does not. The instant you have a contact with law enforcement that you think might be detrimental to your interests, hire a criminal defense lawyer. They will slow everything down and take the pressure off you by preventing you from doing or saying anything that might be harmful to your cause, and making sure law enforcement does not overstep their bounds. 

They Can Fight For Dismissal- A good criminal defense lawyer will thoroughly examine all aspects of a case before negotiating with a prosecutor. They will look at both the facts of the matter and the procedures used by law enforcement. It is rare to see a dismissal based on the facts alone; the police say something happened a certain way and prosecutors are inclined to agree with them. The real value of a good criminal defense lawyer lies in their ability to look closely at all the actions law enforcement took before, during and after an arrest to find where they made mistakes. The more experienced a lawyer is, the more likely they are to know how and where to find the errors that can lead to a dismissal. 

They Have A Relationship With The Prosecutors-Very few criminal cases end with a trial. A 2018 study of the federal system found that 8% of cases are dismissed, 2% go to trial and the other 90% are resolved with a plea negotiation. A similar study from 2016 in Nashville, TN found that out of almost 25,000 cases only 83 reached the trial stage. In other words, almost all criminal cases are resolved through a negotiation between a defense attorney and a prosecutor (keeping in mind that a dismissal is often the result of a defense attorney convincing a prosecutor that a case is not worth pursuing). Knowing this, a good defense attorney will cultivate an understanding with the various prosecutors they work with. They will strike a delicate balance, letting them know that they will fight with determination and skill if their clients are not treated fairly, but will convince their clients to accept deals that are presented in good faith.

They Know What A Good Outcome Is- Most people have no idea what the punishment is for most crimes. They can look up the statute and see, for instance, that their class C misdemeanor carries up to 15 days in jail and a $700 fine and feel relieved when they accept a conviction that keeps them out of jail. An experienced criminal lawyer, however, might know that a little negotiation could have resulted in a lesser charge or maybe even an outcome that would have kept their clients’ record clean.

If you are facing criminal charges, your choice of an attorney is critical. Mark Forest takes a tremendous amount of satisfaction in solving your problem and doing so quickly and aggressively. For over 30 years, Mark has helped countless defendants bring closure to their criminal charges and put them behind them. Mark works closely with his clients to examine their situation and create a plan. What sets Mark apart is he works his cases very hard until he is satisfied with the result. Mark has high expectations for each of his cases. Mark has heard repeatedly from clients that unlike their experiences with other lawyers, he takes time to clearly explain their situation and his plan to solve their problem. He puts his clients at ease and will remain accessible through the duration of your case.

As your attorney, Marks job is to protect your interests and present to you the best possible path that will lead you away from catastrophic life consequences. Criminal charges are serious no matter what you are facing. Even a minor misdemeanor can follow you in future employment, back ground checks and other matters. Mark has helped countless defendants deal with criminal charges. Your case will be taken seriously and Mark will give you his undivided attention. You are facing a difficult challenge. Mark is here to give you the best possible options and representation. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.