FAQs
Have Questions? We Have Answers.
I Am Being Investigated for a Crime. What Do I Do?
Remain silent and contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Many times getting an experienced criminal defense attorney involved at the early stages of an investigation can make the difference in whether or not the district attorney even files criminal charges against you. It can also make a difference in whether or not you are arrested if charges are, in fact, filed.
I've Been Arrested. What Do I Do?
Remain silent and contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Once notified of your arrest, your attorney can arrange for bail. An experienced attorney may also be able to contact a detention release officer at the jail and, depending on the nature and seriousness of the crime, get your bail reduced or negotiate a release on your own recognizance without the necessity of posting any bail.
How Do I Post Bail?
Post Cash Bail: Anyone with the set bail amount in cash or money order may go to the jail and post your bail to secure your release. If your bail is set at a reasonable amount and you have access to funds, cash bail is the best method of posting bail because all of the money posted is returned to you at the conclusion of your case.
Use of a Bail Bondsman: A licensed bail bondsman can arrange to post your bail. Typically, the cost of a bail bond is 10% of the set bail amount. For example, if your bail is set at $100,000.00, you would pay a fee of $10,000.00 to the bondsman. This fee represents the cost of the bond and is not returned to you. Sometimes the bondsman will also require property to secure a bond in addition to the 10% fee. This usually occurs in cases involving very large bond amounts.
Note: Some bail bondsmen will offer an 8% fee if you are referred by a reputable attorney.
Who Can I Discuss My Case With?
With a few exceptions, only discussions between an attorney and client are privileged. This means anyone you talk to about your case, other than an attorney, can potentially be called as a witness against you. Therefore, do not discuss the facts of your criminal case with anyone other than your attorney.
Do I Really Need an Attorney?
This question would most certainly depend on the facts and circumstances of your case as well as the possible repercussions to your life and future. When your freedom is at stake, having the best criminal defense attorney may mean the difference between resuming your life or losing everything and being incarcerated for many years.
Even in dealing with less serious cases, the collateral effects of a criminal conviction can be far-reaching and potentially very damaging to your future. Law enforcement databases maintain criminal conviction records forever. Even misdemeanor convictions can jeopardize professional licenses and adversely affect your employment opportunities. In this modern age of electronic information, more and more entities are gaining access to records of conviction just in the course of routine hiring procedures.
It is, therefore, critical to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney who has a reputation for excellence. An investigation and arrest are temporary…a conviction is permanent.
