Useful Info to Hire a Reliable Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyer

An Arizona criminal defense lawyer fights for the rights of his or her clients and ensures that they experience fair treatment in the courts. The entire basis for the criminal justice system rests on the work of prosecutors and defense attorneys, each of whom play a critical role in the process.
  

What Do Criminal Defense Attorneys Do?

While prosecutors are tasked with protecting the people from those who commit crimes, criminal defense attorneys have a much more personal job: they represent the individuals who are charged with crimes and help them protect their basic rights. The Constitution of the United States, as well as the Constitution of the state of Arizona, affords individuals basic rights when they are charged with a crime. These rights include:

• The right to counsel. Every person accused of a crime has the right to be represented by a qualified defense attorney. This right is so important that anyone who cannot afford to hire an attorney is given the opportunity to work with a court-appointed attorney so that the individual does not face criminal charges without legal advice. The criminal defense attorney is the foundation of individual rights, because those who are charged with crimes must answer even if they are innocent.

• The right to avoid self-incrimination. No one can be required to work against his or her own best interests by being forced to reveal information that might incriminate that individual.  Therefore, if you are charged with a crime, you have the right to refuse to answer police questions, the right to speak with your attorney before discussing your case with police and the right to decide not to testify on your own behalf at trial.

• The right to fair treatment. As an individual, no one, including police, prosecutors or judges, has the right to treat you unfairly or illegally. Police may not use physical force to elicit information about your case, for example, and the judge may be reversed on appeal if he or she commits error in handling your case. Your criminal defense attorney is responsible for ensuring that you are treated fairly by all involved in the process.

How Can I Protect Myself If I Am Charged With A Crime?

If you are charged with a crime, it is very important that you take immediate steps to protect yourself. The state will have a team of prosecutors, police officers and others who will work very hard to secure a conviction in your case, no matter what type of crime you have committed. It makes sense, then, that you should have an attorney who is dedicated to your case and who will stand up for your rights.

Hiring a criminal defense attorney in Arizona may be the best decision you could ever make. Your attorney will work hard to protect you and, if possible, minimize your charges or have them dismissed. You may find that your attorney can arrange a plea that will be far more beneficial to you than the original charges. With the help of a criminal defense attorney, you are far more likely to have a positive outcome to your case than if you try to handle your criminal charges alone.