Criminal Defense Attorney in Charleston, WV

After being accused of a crime, the first thing running through your mind is probably “How do I make this go away?” The answer to that question depends on your situation, but the first step toward a solution is always going to be the same: Contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately.

Do I Really Need a Lawyer?

There are many reasons people think they don’t need to hire a lawyer after being charged with a crime, but no matter what you’ve been accused of, it’s always better to play it safe. Below you’ll find some of the most common reasons people think they don’t need a lawyer, followed by an explanation for why those reasons are incorrect.

“I can’t afford a good lawyer.”

Yes, you can! Criminal defense lawyers with experience know how to work with your budget. As an added bonus, many law firms (like ours) will meet with you for free to discuss your case. You lose nothing by scheduling an appointment.

“It was only a small crime. The penalty won’t be that bad.”

You don’t know this for sure, and even if you’re right, you are still letting a crime go on your permanent record. A good lawyer may be able to get your charge dropped or fight to have your penalties lowered. It’s worth it to find out.

“The cops don’t have any evidence against me. This will go away on its own.”

Never assume this is true. Even innocent people can end up in prison if the evidence seems to point against them. Don’t take any chances when it comes to protecting your freedom.

“The state has to give me a public defender, so I don’t need to find a lawyer myself.”

True, you can work with the public defender. Often, though, a more experienced lawyer will have a better chance of fighting your charges. At our firm, for instance, we are especially knowledgeable about drug crimes and mental health cases. We also have more than 25 years of experience defending clients from all kinds of criminal charges.

“This won’t go away no matter what I do, so I shouldn’t waste my time and money on a good lawyer.”

Again, you can’t know that for sure, and there’s a lot a criminal defense attorney can do to help. For example, when we take on a criminal case, we closely examine all of the evidence against you to make sure the police did their job correctly. If they didn’t, we may be able to stop that evidence from being used against you. Likewise, we look at the charges against you and see if there’s any way to lower your penalties or to get your charge reduced to one that is less severe. These are just a few of so many things we can do to help you get past this criminal charge. Call us today to learn more about your rights, your options, and what we can do for you.