As a criminal defense lawyer in Glendale CA, I know that being charged with a crime can happen to anybody. A police officer is a human being, and he or she occasionally makes mistakes in arresting individuals. He or she may lack probable cause to arrest a person. If you have been arrested for a crime in Glendale, Pasadena or Burbank, then it is important to get in touch with a Glendale criminal defense lawyer who can assert your legal rights at trial.
There may be a possibility that your case never has to go to trial in the Glendale Courthouse. A Glendale criminal defense lawyer has the opportunity to negotiate with the prosecutor at the plea bargaining stage of your case. During this stage of the case, it is possible for your charges to be decreased or entirely eliminated. Often, it is said that sentencing begins in the months prior to when a trial even starts. This is because the negotiation process plays an important role in determining the final outcome of a trial.
Every individual has the right to procedural due process when he or she has been charged with a crime. If your crime is of a serious nature, then the government may attempt to deprive you of the right to notice and a hearing. You will need a lawyer who can assert that your right to be heard before a neutral judge is more important than any compelling interest that the government may have. The government may not do anything that restricts a person’s access to the court system.
Taking Your Criminal Case to Trial
In some instances, it may be in your best interest to proceed in having a trial for your case. A Glendale criminal defense lawyer can make you aware of all of your legal options. When you have a jury trial, it may be up to the jury to determine the relevance and weight of certain evidence in your trial. A jury may be convinced that you are entirely innocent of a crime.
You will likely only have a limited period of time to negotiate with the prosecution. The filing of a formal arrest typically occurs within one month. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor charge, then you will likely begin your trial within three months. For felony charges, this period of time is typically about six months. If you make a demand for a speedy trial, then a Glendale judge will expect you to be ready for trial in as few as five days. If you wish to have your trial completed as soon as possible, then you may wish to get in touch with a Glendale criminal defense lawyer.
A Glendale criminal defense attorney can help you to deal with all of the procedural aspects of your trial. From making a plea at the arraignment stage to dealing with a pretrial detention procedure, a lawyer can stand up for your constitutional rights at every stage of your case.
There are certain state laws that govern the amount of time in which a person may be held in pretrial detention. In some instances, a court may be willing to grant a release of a person who is being held in pretrial detention. If you have a family or provide the sole source of income for your loved ones, then a judge may allow you to be released early from pretrial detention. You will still have a legal obligation to return to court for any other hearings before the start of your trial.
Get in touch with a Glendale criminal defense lawyer to learn more about the criminal laws in California. You will be better equipped to stand up for your constitutional rights.