The criminal justice system can be confusing and overwhelming. For guidance about criminal procedures and help building a defense, contact a skilled and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney.
Legal Information About Criminal Defense
At Barnes & Garrett, we believe that every person accused of a crime deserves strong and effective representation. We will carefully investigate every aspect of your trial, with the aim of obtaining a dismissal of the charge, a reduced charges, or vindication at trial.
Our goal will be to obtain the best outcome possible.
For a free initial consultation with a criminal defense lawyer at Barnes & Garrett call 757-353-4355 or send us an e-mail. We serve clients in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and throughout Virginia.
Information about topics in criminal defense are discussed below.
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Larceny and shoplifting crimes require a prosecutor to demonstrate seven different factors to obtain a conviction. Attorney James Garrett will systematically analyze each element of the case in your defense effort.
A conviction for domestic violence can have a very negative impact on your career, your lifestyle, and your relations with your family members. If you have been charged with this crime, Barnes & Garrett will aggressively defend your rights and freedom.
The Right to Counsel
The Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees the right to an attorney to anyone facing federal criminal charges. The 14th Amendment and some state constitutions also afford this right to anyone facing state felony charges. Those who are indigent and cannot afford an attorney have the right to have one appointed to them for free. Most people, however, do not understand what the right to an attorney means, when this right attaches or who qualifies for a court-appointed lawyer.
If you are accused of a serious crime, it is essential that you retain the services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer to fight for your legal and constitutional rights throughout the criminal justice process. Contact Barnes & Garrett, P.C. in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to speak with a criminal defense attorney about your case today.
Federal and State Law
The right to counsel is a fundamental right of criminal defendants guaranteed by the US Constitution. Many states also include this right in their constitutions, and some states provide a broader scope of the right to counsel than the federal constitution. However, defendants facing state felony charges are still entitled to counsel, even if the state constitution does not provide such a right, under the federal constitution via the 14th Amendment.
Attachment of the Right
Criminal defendants are afforded the right to an attorney throughout every critical stage of a criminal proceeding once the right has "attached." Under federal rules, the defendant's right attaches once "adversary judicial proceedings" have been initiated against the defendant. This includes when the defendant has been charged with or indicted for a crime and during a preliminary hearing, information and arraignment.
Thus, for the right to attach, the defendant must have been charged with a crime. It does not attach if the individual is merely suspected of committing a crime. It does not attach during the investigative stage prior to the filing of actual, formal charges — even if the individual is the only suspect. An arrest, without formal charges, also does not trigger the right to an attorney. This does not mean, however, that an individual being investigated for a crime cannot hire an attorney on his or her own.
Once the right has attached, the state cannot interfere with the defendant's right to seek counsel and has a duty to ensure the defendant's right is honored. The right is not available in civil or administrative proceedings or during license suspension or revocation hearings.
Appointed Counsel
In order for a criminal defendant to receive a court-appointed lawyer, the defendant cannot merely be unable to afford the representation of an attorney of his or her choosing, but must meet the definition of an indigent. The trial court has the authority to determine whether a defendant is indigent. Some jurisdictions have guidelines based on income that allow individuals meeting the criteria to be presumed indigent. Other jurisdictions, however, do not have any guidelines and must make the determination on a case-by-case basis.
In those states that determine indigence on a case-by-case basis, the court must look at the defendant's total financial circumstances, including his or her income, assets, debts and other financial obligations before deciding if the defendant can afford to pay for an attorney. Thus, just because a defendant is unemployed does not guarantee he or she will be appointed counsel.
Defendants receiving court-appointed attorneys do not have the right to have an attorney of their choosing. If the court finds that the defendant is indigent, the court will assign a public defender to the defendant. The right to appointed counsel only extends to the trial and the first appeal of the trial court's judgment.
Waiving the Right to an Attorney
Just as all criminal defendants have the right to an attorney, they also have the right to self-representation and can waive the right to an attorney. In order to waive this important right, criminal defendants must be able to prove to the judge that they are competent (have the mental capacity) to waive this right and that their waiver is knowing, intelligent and voluntary. The judge must make sure that the criminal defendant understands the disadvantages of self-representation before allowing the waiver.
Defendants considering representing themselves in a criminal trial should carefully consider the consequences of this action. Criminal defense attorneys have years of training and understand the intricate, and often confusing, workings of the law and criminal justice system. Given the complexities of criminal procedure and, more importantly, the severe consequences a criminal conviction carries, a criminal defense attorney is best suited to protect defendants' legal rights and help them achieve the best possible outcome.
Conclusion
If you or a loved one has been arrested for a criminal offense, you have the right to an attorney. It is important to begin working with an attorney as soon as possible in the process, even if you have not been formally charged with a crime. To learn more about your legal rights, contact Barnes & Garrett, P.C. in Virginia Beach, Virginia today.
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