If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime in Orange County, do not wait to get in touch with the legal team at the Law Offices of David A. Stein. Call (949) 445-0040 and receive a free consultation on your case.
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Your Criminal Defense
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. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal counsel.
Orange County law enforcement officials are dedicated to preventing crime and punishing anyone who has been found to violate the law. While these efforts keep people safe, they also severely punish people who have done little or perhaps no wrong. In the event of a conviction, a defendant can be sentenced to years in prison and forced to pay thousands of dollars in fines to the government, altering a person’s life for years or possibly permanently.
If you have been accused of committing a crime, you may be overwhelmed and scared by the process and worried about the consequences you may suffer. Whether it is a minor misdemeanor or a serious felony, being convicted can severely harm your personal life, professional career, and wellbeing. While it may seem as though being found innocent is impossible, a skilled attorney can assist you with getting the best outcome possible.
With the help of attorney David A. Stein, you can have the defense you need to successfully fight back against prosecutors and their charges. Call the Law Offices of David A. Stein at (949)-445-0040 to receive a free consultation on your case. Get the knowledge you need to make the right choices at every step of your case.
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The Life-Altering Effects of Criminal Penalties
Penalties for crimes are designed to punish a person according to the severity of his or her alleged crime and prevent future crimes. Unfortunately, many penalties are far more severe than the crime that was allegedly committed. Countless people in Orange County and across the United States are convicted of crimes they have not committed.
While crimes classified as misdemeanors are not punishable by more than one year in jail, the consequences can mean serious damage to both personal and professional relationships. Felony crimes can be punished by years, decades, or even a lifetime in prison upon conviction. The thousands of dollars in fines imposed upon a convicted defendant can leave them in debt for years, possibly much longer than any amount of time spent in jail or prison.
There are many other types of penalties as well, which are specific to certain types of crimes. For example, sex offenses can result in a defendant being forced to register as a sex offender, allowing law enforcement and the public to keep track of their whereabouts and preventing them from taking certain jobs or living in some locations. Additionally, drunk driving and other vehicular crimes can cause a loss of license for years.
Finally, having a criminal record can make it extremely difficult to find gainful employment, as many companies will refuse to hire someone with a past conviction. A conviction of any kind can cause severe complications, making a skilled defense critical for any criminal charge.
What Happens During a Criminal Case?
There are several steps of a criminal trial, starting with law enforcement suspecting that you committed a crime and ending with a decision made about the charges and the punishments imposed. It is important that you understand these stages and what actions you can take in order to protect yourself as much as possible. David Stein keeps you informed and thoroughly communicates at every step of the process.
- Investigation – Police review facts, witness testimony, and evidence to determine if a crime has happened and an arrest is needed. With the help of a lawyer, you can prevent taking any action during investigation that makes an arrest more likely.
- Arrest – The suspect is placed under arrest and put in jail to await official charges and trial. An attorney can argue for your right to bail and reduce bail amounts to get you out of jail while waiting for trial.
- Arraignment – The suspect appears before the judge to be formally charged with specific crimes. During the process, the suspect also officially appoints an attorney for the case. You can plead to charges, modify bail, and schedule court dates with a lawyer.
- Preliminary Hearing – The prosecuting attorney will present evidence to the judge proving that the case should move forward to trial. Your attorney can cross-examine witnesses for the prosecution to disprove claims and perhaps prevent your case from going to trial.
- Plea Bargaining – Your defense attorney and the prosecuting attorneys can negotiate a plea agreement. This involves you pleading guilty to a lesser charge instead of facing trial for a more serious charge.
- Trial – Both your defense attorney and the prosecuting attorneys will present witness testimony and evidence to the judge and jury to prove that you are innocent or guilty. David Stein will pursue the best way to reduce or eliminate criminal charges.
- Sentencing – If convicted, the court will decide what penalties to impose. An attorney can have less severe penalties imposed by having charges reduced, lower felonies to misdemeanors and preventing other severe charges from being charged.
A skilled lawyer is needed at all steps in this process to help you make make the right decisions get the most favorable outcome possible.
A Successful Defense Lawyer Fighting for Your Freedom
With our help, you can take action to defend yourself before the police and prosecutors create a damaging case against you. Through the tenacious legal defense of Orange County criminal defense attorney David A. Stein, you can protect your rights and your freedom.