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8 Things Everyone Should Know About Facing Criminal Charges

Below, Prince William County criminal lawyer Donna Murphy discusses the eight things you know know before facing criminal charges in Virginia. For help building a defense call today and schedule a free consultation.

1: Your Case Will Be Prosecuted Aggressively

The first thing that you should know is that your case will be prosecuted aggressively. They do not come at you with a soft hand rather they come at you with a closed fist in Prince William County.

2: An Attorney Can Help You Get Information

The second thing that you need to know is that there is a wealth of information that can be made available to you by an attorney who knows the Prince William County system.

3: The Judges Are Fair

Lastly, the third thing that a person should know is that the judges in Prince William County are some of the best that we have in the state. Those judges will absolutely give you a fair hearing, so you should not allow yourself to be bullied by aggressive police or prosecutors who are managing your case from the government side.

4: Stay Silent When Being Interrogated by Police

Fourth, remain silent when being interrogated by the police. There is nothing good that can come from answering questions about the crime that you may or may not have committed because they already think that you did and anything that you say isn’t going to change that opinion.

5: Educate Yourself By Going to Court And Watching the Cases

Number five, educate yourself. Go to court and see what happens to other people. Go to court on the day that is not your court date and find out what happens.

6: Get In Touch With a Criminal Defense Attorney

Then, most important of all, get in touch with a lawyer early so you can learn about what you are facing, discuss your options, and make an informed decision on your next step.

7: Criminal Charges and Convictions Can Affect Your Immigration Status

If you are here under a visa or a green card, anything other than US citizenship, there are certain crimes that can absolutely negatively impact your presence in this country and your ability to stay here. That is another benefit of working with our firm.

We have a full time immigration lawyer on staff who does only immigration law and she’s available to us to consult with any case. So, if there is a charge that could potentially impact your immigration status, we’re going to know about it. We are going to know exactly what it is that needs to happen for you to stay here, to not disrupt your visa, and that bit of information I think is invaluable to you.

8: Make Sure You Contact a Local Attorney Familiar with Prince William Courts

People need to make sure that they do is they get in touch with an attorney who’s familiar with the Prince William County court system.

I have practiced all over the state and, while doing so effectively, I can tell you that rules and procedures are different in almost every jurisdiction. Every jurisdiction has their own set of what we call “local rules,” which dictate things like the timing of motions, the way that cases need to be prepared for, and the way that discovery motions need to be filed.

All of these things are really important to the outcome of your case. If you are practicing in a distant jurisdiction where you are not as familiar with the local rules, then it could potentially be a disadvantage. So you need to contact an attorney who is familiar with the local rules and the way things work in Prince William County.