Criminal Defense
Regardless of whether you are being investigated for a felony or a misdemeanor, each step you take could have long term and far reaching consequences on your life. Any crime more serious than a traffic infraction or a petty offense carries the possibility of incarceration. Even when a prosecutor is not seeking jail time, a conviction for a criminal issue may have substantial collateral consequences. Convictions can affect other legal matters like family law cases or dependence & neglect cases for example. Criminal convictions can diminish your chances for employment and limit housing opportunities. Moreover, convictions are for a lifetime. Every time someone is charged with one of these offenses, his or her liberty is at stake.
The moment you are contacted by the police on a criminal investigation, the clock begins to tick. You will either begin to exercise your rights or you will begin to waive them. Evidence, which may help you win your case, will either be recognized and preserved or lost. At Chris Mahre & Associates, we work with you to make sure we salvage what is clearly a bad situation and get the best outcome possible.
Once you waive a legal issue, you may not get it back. Criminal law is complex and not always easily researchable. The District Attorney may have policies that are not published. Every criminal case will involve Constitutional issues, statutory issues, case law issues, rules of evidence, rules of procedure, court rules and many other issues. While the Constitution gives everyone the right to defend him or herself alone, it is not necessarily the wisest course of action. Pro Se defendants, defendant who represent themselves, are held to the same standard as those who have attorneys. Not having a professional who knows the law working on your side can be a distinct disadvantage. At Chris Mahre & Associates, we can guide you through all the rights you have, issues your case raises and help you decide what you want to do.
At this point, you may think you have a rock solid defense to this charge. You may be right and you may be wrong. On the other hand, you may think you have absolutely no defense. Again you may be right and you may be wrong. One thing you must remember: you will only get one opportunity to argue your case. Without a dispassionate experienced advisor, someone who knows the law and can walk you calmly and logically through it, your ability to make your case effectively will be diminished. No one else in the process is working to protect your interests the same way a defense attorney will: not the police, not the prosecutor, not even the judge. If you have already been charged, at least one member of the government already convinced that you likely committed the crime and it can be proven– the police officer. Now is the time to defend yourself vigorously. Let us help you.
Traffic
Misdemeanor
Felony
Domestic Violence