Summerville Criminal Defense Lawyer

Summerville Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have suffered an arrest or charge, the support of a Summerville criminal defense lawyer can prove essential. These types of legal cases can have extremely long-lasting impacts on an individual’s life, sometimes including jail or prison time. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, this does not mean that you are automatically guilty. With the help of criminal defense attorneys at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., you can count on reliable legal support.

Whether you are convicted of a minor misdemeanor or a serious felony, the aid that a criminal defense attorney can offer can be pivotal to the outcome of your case. Regardless of the crime, the stakes are high, and the legal process can be daunting and challenging. That is why having the support of the right defense attorney at your side is crucial.

Why You Should Choose Axelrod & Associates, P.A.

At Axelrod & Associates, P.A., we take a detailed approach to defending our client’s rights against a wide range of criminal charges, from felonies to misdemeanors. Our dedication, experience, and proven track record of success prove that we are committed to advocating relentlessly to protect our client’s rights, freedom, and future.

Our team of advocates understands the challenges you may be facing and seeks to provide the support, guidance, and strategic defense you need to navigate this challenging time. Our team has represented crimes ranging from speeding tickets to murder. No matter the crime you are facing, reach out to learn how we can support you. You can expect to be met with a kind and empathetic attorney who has great experience in cases similar to yours.

Why Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

If you have been accused of a crime, the support of a criminal defense lawyer can be paramount in the success of your trial. Below are several ways criminal defense lawyers can help:

• Legal Experience: Criminal defense lawyers offer knowledge and experience in criminal law. They understand the complexities of the legal system, procedural rules, evidence requirements, and potential defenses. Attorneys will develop a strategic defense plan that is tailored to the specific details and considerations of your case. Through this strategy, they can assess the prosecution’s case and predict the most effective defense strategy.
• Protecting Rights: Defense attorneys ensure that their client’s constitutional rights are protected and preserved throughout the legal process. They can not only advise clients on their rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to a fair trial but also enforce these rights.
• Detailed Investigations: A thorough and fair investigation period to gather evidence to support your case is essential. An attorney will conduct a timely and detailed investigation and work to uncover evidence to weaken the prosecution’s case, which in some cases can lead to their client’s exoneration. An evidence and investigation period provides the essential tools needed to support their clients in court.
• Experienced Negotiators: A negotiation can directly determine the outcome of a case, making it a paramount requirement that defense attorneys are able to engage in skilled negotiations. Positive negotiations can achieve reduced sentencing or charges and aim to produce a positive outcome for their clients, whether through negotiations or trials.
• Courtroom Representation: In the situation that a case proceeds to trial, defense attorneys will serve as representation for their client’s case in court in front of a judge and jury.

Steps to Follow After an Arrest

If you have been arrested on a criminal charge in Summerville, SC, there are crucial steps to take to protect your rights and help to ensure a positive outcome.

• Cooperate With Law Enforcement: It is essential to remain respectful and composed when engaging with law enforcement. Follow the instructions given to you by this authority within the bounds of your rights. It is vital not to resist an arrest or obstruct the officers in any way. Any perceived retaliation can lead to severe legal consequences.
• Invoke the Right to Remain Silent: Under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, you have the right to remain silent. You should clearly state that you are choosing to invoke your constitutional right to remain silent and desire to speak with an attorney.
• Request an Attorney: Ask to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. You hold the right to remain silent not only in the presence of an attorney but also during any questioning. In the case that you are unable to afford an attorney, one will be provided to you.
• Avoid Statements: Refrain from making any statements to police or any present parties without your attorney present. Anything that you choose to say can be used against you in court.

Difference Between Misdemeanor and Felony

There are two general classifications of criminal offenses, which include misdemeanors and felonies. Both types of criminal offenses differ in terms of severity and potential penalties associated with each.

Misdemeanors are considered less serious criminal charges compared to a felony. In general, they involve minor infractions or offenses that are punishable by less than one year in jail. A felony is a more serious crime that includes violence, significant harm, or large-scale financial loss that is punishable by imprisonment for one year or more in a federal or state prison.

The penalties involved in a misdemeanor may include fines, probation, community services, and up to one year in jail. However, a felony can result in much harsher penalties, including substantial fines, lengthy imprisonment in state or federal prisons for more than one year, and, in some cases, even the death penalty. Misdemeanors can be handled in lower courts with simpler legal procedures, whereas felonies bring more complex legal proceedings.

Misdemeanors can have consequences on an individual’s criminal record, and some crimes may be eligible for expungement or sealing after a certain period. A felony conviction tends to have more serious and lasting consequences that span beyond imprisonment, sometimes redistricting voting rights, firearm possession, employment opportunities, and professional licenses.

Misdemeanors are generally less serious offenses with lighter penalties, while felonies are more severe crimes with harsher, longer-lasting consequences. The distinction between the two lies within the legal process, potential penalties, and long-term ramifications for individuals who are charged with these offenses.

FAQs

Q: Why Do Defense Attorneys Defend Guilty Clients?

A: Defense attorneys defend guilty clients primarily as they hold a legal responsibility to their clients and because each individual, regardless of guilt, has a right to be defended in a court of law. The U.S. Constitution provides each citizen with the right to legal counsel. Defense attorneys understand the difference between factual guilt and legal guilt.

In a trial, legal guilt is what is up for debate, and there are cases where a defendant may have factual guilt, but legal guilt is not proven. Legal guilt is what a defense attorney is concerned about and within their scope of practice, not factual guilt.

Q: Are Public Defenders Free in South Carolina?

A: Yes, all U.S. citizens charged with a crime have the constitutional right to legal representation. If individuals are unable to afford a lawyer, they can be appointed a public defender to offer legal counsel and representation for free. Typically, individuals undergo a determination on eligibility for a public defender’s support to prove they are unable to afford a defense attorney on their means, which generally will look into income, family size, and other financial components.

Q: What Happens If a Client Confesses to a Lawyer?

A: Due to the attorney-client privilege rule, confidentiality is granted to clients if they confess to a previously committed crime. As attorneys are considered officers of the court, they hold an ethical duty to report any planned crime they hear of. If a client has confessed a crime to their attorney, they can ask what the implications of this confession are on their case and their attorney’s representation if they are concerned.

Q: Should You Admit Guilt to Your Defense Attorney?

A: As attorney-client confidentiality offers substantial protection for clients who have previously committed crimes, it can be OK to admit guilt to your defense attorney. In general, providing as much detail and information to your attorney as possible is advisable so they can prepare for any potential threats that may try to attack their legal strategy in the courtroom. Defense attorneys will seek to offer the highest level of legal support and care regardless of guilt.

Contact a Summerville Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

Having the support of the right legal representation can make all of the difference if you are facing criminal charges. The skilled and experienced criminal defense attorneys at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., are available to fight tirelessly to protect your rights, advocate for your interests, and work to achieve the most favorable outcome for your case.

Our attorneys understand the complexities of the legal system and work to provide aggressive and thorough defense strategies that are tailored to your unique situation. You do not have to face the criminal justice system on your own. Contact us today to set up a consultation and take the first step in safeguarding your future.