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Facing Criminal Charges?
America’s Top Criminal Defense Lawyers can help you
If you were arrested and charged with a crime, you are understandably experiencing a very difficult time. The stress of your situation is made worse by the confusion and anxiety you must feel as you struggle to figure out the best course of action. Some of the questions you may want answers to are:
- How do I fight the charges against me?
- How do I choose the right criminal defense lawyer for my situation?
- Do I use a public defender or should I hire a private defense lawyer?
- What can I expect in my legal proceedings?
Take comfort in knowing that, regardless of the charges brought against you, you still have two important rights: You have the right to be presumed innocent and you have the right to an attorney. Therefore, choosing a defense lawyer should be one of the most important decisions that you make.

americastopdefenselawyers.com is a free informational resource backed by top defense lawyers, nationwide, who have successfully tried, defended and appealed thousands of cases in both state and federal courts. These cases include, but are not limited to, felony cases, misdemeanor cases, DUI, drug crimes, federal crimes, domestic violence, theft crimes, sex crimes, probation violations, white-collar crimes, and motor vehicle offenses.
These attorneys are extensively evaluated and carefully selected based on their education, experience, expertise, integrity, professional achievement, and complete dedication to clients. These leading criminal defense lawyers also have in-depth knowledge of criminal law, superior skills in courtroom advocacy, and expertise in out-of-courtroom negotiation. And finally, America’s Top Criminal Defense Lawyers must submit to rigorous background checks where all qualifications are verified – from their education to their experience to peer reviews and recognition. These qualifications are consistently monitored for excellence.
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Answers from America’s Top Criminal Defense Lawyers
How do I fight the charges against me?Back to the top
It is always in your best interest to consult a criminal defense lawyer, as early as possible, if you suspect you will be facing the criminal justice system. Whether or not you believe you have been wrongfully accused, an attorney will fight for your legal and constitutional rights and monitor the proceedings for legality and fairness.
How do I choose the right criminal defense lawyer for my situation?Back to the top
The qualifications, background, track record, and experience in your legal matter are critical factors to consider when looking for a criminal defense lawyer to guide you through the criminal justice process. The “right lawyer” for you should be a qualified legal professional with a winning track record of handling cases very similar to yours. The right criminal defense lawyer should also have a strong legal team and sufficient resources to attend to your case in the detail. And finally, this defense attorney should have the commitment and compassion necessary to achieve the best possible outcome and to put you at ease throughout your legal proceedings.
Do I use a public defender or should I hire a private defense lawyer?Back to the top
With the economy in such bad shape, many people think they can’t afford to retain the services of a private criminal defense attorney. So they leave their future in the hands of a public defender… This is a huge mistake! The reality is: 71% of the people who use public defenders are incarcerated. Most public defenders are young lawyers, right out of law school, who are overworked, underpaid, and handling too many cases to give each client the best possible defense. That’s why 71% of their clients go to jail! The bottom line is: you need a quality criminal defense lawyer to fight for you so you won’t become a victim of the system.
What can I expect in my legal proceedings?Back to the top
The typical steps in a standard criminal proceeding are booking, arraignment, bail, preliminary hearing, trial, sentencing, punishment, and appeal.
- Booking is the procedure at the jail or police station following your arrest in which information about the arrest (i.e. the date and time, your name, and the crime for which you were arrested) is entered in the police register. You are usually photographed and fingerprinted at the time of the booking.
- Arraignment is a formal reading of the criminal complaint to inform you of the charges against you. In response to arraignment, you are expected to enter a plea. Acceptable pleas vary among jurisdictions, but they generally include “guilty”, “not guilty”, and the peremptory pleas (or pleas in bar) setting out reasons why a trial cannot proceed. Pleas of “no contest” are also allowed in some circumstances.
- Bail is the cash or a cash equivalent that you must give to the court in order to guarantee that you will appear in court when ordered to do so. If you appear in court as ordered, the court refunds the bail; but if you fail to show up to court, you forfeit your bail and a warrant is issued for your arrest. Depending on the circumstances, you may detained, which means you are kept in jail until your trial.
- Preliminary hearing is the proceeding, after a criminal complaint has been filed by the prosecutor, to determine whether there is enough evidence to require a trial. The judge must find there is probable that a crime was committed.
- Trial is when parties to your dispute (prosecutor & defense) come together to present information (in the form of evidence) in court, before a judge and jury, in order to achieve a resolution to your dispute.
- Sentencing is the final act of a judge-ruled process. If you are found guilty by trial or you have pleaded guilty, the judge imposes your form of punishment during sentencing.
- Punishments range from fines, to probation, to jail time, or a combination of all three, depending on the severity of your crime and other mitigating factors.
- Appeal takes place after the criminal trial process is completed. It is the process for requesting a formal change to the decision. If the trial ends in a guilty verdict, you may file a motion to appeal to a higher court.
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