How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Oklahoma City Help You If You’re Facing Felony Charges?
If you have been charged with a felony, it’s important to move quickly. Felony charges are quite serious and come with high fines and the potential for jail. Contact a criminal defense lawyer in Oklahoma City as soon as you possibly can so that your rights are protected and you have the best chance of putting forth a good case for your defense.
1. By Protecting You During Investigations
The police and the prosecutor want to close the case as quickly as possible, and you can’t expect them to be primarily interested in protecting your rights. During an investigation, you want a lawyer by your side as you answer questions, and you should never speak without a lawyer present.
Once your lawyer arrives, they will advise you about what to say and what questions to answer. They will also protect you against any manipulative questions that are meant to get you to say things you may not mean. Learn more here.
2. By Thoroughly Investigating the Investigation
Every aspect of the police investigation should be done according to the law, but who is going to hold the police accountable? The only person who can do this is your lawyer.
Your lawyer will investigate the circumstances of your arrest as well as each step that law enforcement is taking along the way to make sure that all searches are legal, all questioning is done correctly, and that you are not being taken advantage of.
3. By Advising You on Plea Bargains
Plea bargains can be a wonderful way to avoid some of the worst consequences of a felony charge. In a plea bargain, you normally agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge, sometimes even a misdemeanor, in exchange for the prosecution dropping the higher charges. The trade-off is that the prosecution does not have to spend time and money proving your guilt on the lesser charge.
In some situations, a plea bargain can even be arranged where the prosecution will be willing to recommend no jail time or other lesser penalties even on a higher charge. But again, no one is interested in letting you know whether a plea deal is in your best interests. A lawyer will help you to negotiate a good deal and protect you from being bullied or manipulated into accepting a deal that isn’t.
4. By Conducting Their Own Investigation
Sometimes, law enforcement can become fixated on you as a guilty party, and they may not really be doing a thorough investigation into whether anyone else might be involved. Your lawyer can do their own investigation to defend you.
5. Defend You In Court
Most importantly, of course, your lawyer works for you in the courtroom. They present your case to the court, argue against the prosecution’s case, and put you and your needs in the best possible light.
If you’re being charged with a felony, contact a lawyer immediately.
