Chandler Criminal Defense Lawyer

Crime is not something that is taken lightly by our judicial system. There are stiff penalties for crimes, and even crimes resulting in lighter penalties don’t escape from the broader social issues that stem from a criminal record. However, if you’ve been charged with a crime in Chandler, AZ, there is still hope. While you may feel outnumbered, with a strong defense, those charged with a crime may have some hope of prevailing. It’s crucial, though, that your defense be formidable and executed by someone capable. At Ryan Garvey Attorneys, that is the kind of defense that we are able to give our clients. We aim to help those concerned about how their case may be defended.

What Your Criminal Defense Lawyer Does

Sometimes, the justice system can feel overwhelmingly stacked against the accused. There are prosecutors and police departments that never seem to reach the limits of their budgets. There is a whole court system whose purpose is to see that justice is done, but it can sometimes feel like their job is really to see that someone pays for a crime, no matter the reality. The whole system exists to maintain order, and unsolved or unconvicted crimes are taken as a sign of disorder. It’s understandable that anyone would feel overwhelmed with those odds. A criminal defense lawyer, though, can make all the difference.

Protect Your Rights

Despite the way it may feel, there are plenty of rights and protections afforded to the accused. Even just the idea of guilt needing to be proved “beyond a reasonable doubt” is a protection for the defendant. It means that they aren’t to be punished based on a coin flip call. However, the rights of a defendant can sometimes be forgotten or pushed to the side if someone isn’t there to remind everyone else. In essence, everything that a defense lawyer does, from protecting their client during an investigation to arguing on their behalf in court, is a form of ensuring that their rights are protected. The kind of lawyer you want working for you, like those at Ryan Garvey Attorneys, do so aggressively and with determination.

Investigate Your Case

A good criminal defense lawyer can investigate your case just as thoroughly as the prosecution. They almost certainly want to talk to you about the situation, but that is only the beginning of their investigations. What they do from there can differ depending on the alleged crime. For instance, a murder case is investigated very differently than a white collar crime. Some of the things that your attorney may do in the course of their investigation include: 

• Subpoenaing important documents
• Interviewing witnesses
• Looking at the police report
• Gathering facts and evidence
• Finding any other information that could be relevant to the case

Strategize

The next thing your lawyer might do is start putting together a strategy for your defense. They probably already began to formulate one while conducting research, but the investigation is only one part of the defense. They also need to perform several other tasks, depending on the nature of the case. Your attorney may need to look at case law that could be applicable to your defense. They may also need to find expert witnesses to work with as well. More than anything else, though, they need to be able to predict how the prosecution might argue the case. The more they can think like the prosecutor, the more that they can prepare to poke holes in their claims. This is something that comes naturally for Ryan Garvey, who had a successful career as a prosecutor before moving on to criminal defense.

Represent You Throughout Your Case

Your lawyer can represent you throughout the legal process. This could mean helping you negotiate a plea deal to a lesser charge before a verdict is awarded if that seems like the better option. If you are ready to fight the charges in court, your lawyer can argue your case and defend you against the accusations. If the jury does come back with a guilty verdict, your lawyer can make a case for a lighter sentence. Even after sentencing, if appeals are an option, then your lawyer can help you proceed forward through that process as well.

What to Look for in a Lawyer

Quality criminal defense requires a lawyer with a variety of traits, as every case is unique and needs a unique mix of skills. You want to make sure that you work with a lawyer you can trust and believe can give you the strongest defense. You don’t want to reach the verdict wondering if something more could have been done in your defense. Therefore, while the other traits are important, your faith in your lawyer may be the most important of all. Some other characteristics to look for include:

• Detail-Oriented
• Creative
• Forceful
• Curious
• Experienced

Penalties for Criminal Charges

Criminal convictions come with penalties. The exact specifics of the penalty will depend on the crime for which the defendant is convicted. Generally, felony crimes will result in much stiffer penalties than a misdemeanor or petty crime. While there are no guarantees, it’s also generally the case that first convictions are treated more lightly than later convictions. However, even in the case of lighter convictions, the consequences can still be significant, particularly the element of a person now having a criminal record, which can create a set of consequences outside of the legal penalties. Some of the consequences of a criminal conviction include:

• Jail Time – Generally, the harshest of the consequences that you can receive is some sort of prison sentence. Usually, these are mandatory in the case of felonies. They can sometimes be included in misdemeanor sentencing, depending on the crime and whether it is a repeat conviction or a first-time conviction.
• Fines – A monetary penalty is associated with the penalty guidelines for most crimes
• Probation – This is certainly a preferable alternative to prison, though it is sometimes sentenced along with or following a prison term. However, it does involve a variety of restrictions on what you can do and requires regular contact with a probation officer.
• Loss of Right to a Firearm – Many criminal convictions, particularly felonies and violent crimes, can lead to a ban on owning a firearm.
• Loss of Public Rights – You could lose your right to vote, participate in a jury, or run for public office for a period of time.
• Difficulty Finding Employment – Having a criminal record is something that will show up on background checks. This can sometimes make it difficult to find a job.
• Difficulty Getting Accepted Into College – Colleges will likely do a background check, just like employers. While it’s not always a disqualification, it can be in some cases.
• Student Loan Disqualification – Many student loan programs will not lend to someone with a criminal background.
• Professional License Disqualification – A number of professional licensing programs will disqualify anyone who has a criminal record. Others may still allow some exceptions, though the process will be much more difficult.
• Reputation Loss – There is a lot of social stigma around criminal convictions that can come with a guilty verdict. In some cases, it’s a person’s relationship with family and friends that can become damaged.

The consequences of a criminal conviction can be significant. It’s important that you work with a lawyer you can trust to help you avoid as much of the impact as possible.

FAQs

Q: What Should I Do If I’m Arrested?

A: If you find yourself getting arrested, how you handle the process can have a significant impact on your case. The police are watching and listening closely during the arrest for anything that may be of use to the prosecution. There are a few things, though, that can be helpful to remember, should you find yourself arrested. They are:

• Keep Composed – This can be hard to do. Getting arrested could bring up a bevy of emotions like anger, frustration, fear, and even shame. At such a difficult moment, one could be forgiven for acting out a bit irrationally. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be how the police, prosecution, and courts will likely take it. You want to avoid any additional charges or saying something that could hurt your case later. Therefore, it’s critical that you keep your composure.
• Don’t Say Much – You should be read your Miranda rights if you’re arrested. This includes a reminder of your right to remain silent. Make sure you avail yourself of that right. The police may attempt to get you to admit to a crime, even when it sounds like they are making casual, unrelated conversation. They are trained to do this. Staying silent is often the safest option.
• Call Your Lawyer – A criminal defense lawyer’s job is to protect your rights and give you a fair chance in the legal system. Calling a lawyer, like one from Ryan Garvey Attorneys, can ensure that you have someone invested in your case, ready to stand up for you in the courtroom and throughout the judicial process.

Q: How Long After a Crime Occurred Can Someone Be Charged for It?

A: The more time has passed since a crime, the less reliable the evidence related to the crime is considered to be. Physical evidence degrades and witness memory fades, making their testimony unreliable. The law addresses this by setting a statute of limitations for different crimes. These statutes set a maximum length of time from the incident that a crime can be prosecuted. Typically, the more serious the crime, the longer the statute of limitations. While the statute of limitations may differ somewhat from crime to crime, there are some general principles that hold. Petty offenses must typically be prosecuted within six months and most misdemeanors within a year. Class Two through Class Six felonies must be prosecuted within seven years. A few crimes, such as homicide and violent sexual assault, have no statute of limitations and can be prosecuted at any time.

Q: Can Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer When I’m Being Investigated Help?

A: One of the primary jobs of a criminal defense lawyer is ensuring that your rights through the judicial process are respected and observed. These rights exist before an arrest has been made and charges have been brought. A criminal defense lawyer can’t help defend against violations of your rights, though, if they are unaware of what’s going on. It’s vital to your case and the preservation of your rights that you contact a criminal defense lawyer who can help throughout the investigation process and beyond if necessary.

Q: How Do You Defend Against Criminal Charges?

A: The most important thing to understand about defending against criminal charges is that, for the prosecution to secure a guilty verdict, they must be able to prove the crime “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This means that the key to building a strong defense is creating a “reasonable doubt.” In many cases, a defensive strategy will attempt to create that doubt. This can be done through things like attacking the validity of the prosecution’s evidence, creating questions around the legitimacy of witness testimony, and poking other holes in the prosecution’s narrative. Something like providing an alibi can be particularly useful in these situations. Even if an alibi isn’t an option, other challenges to the evidence can be made. In some situations, though, there just isn’t a way to deny that the action was committed, but it may be possible to argue that it wasn’t criminal. For instance, self-defense may be a valid reason for a “not guilty” verdict in some circumstances.

We Can Defend You the Way You Would Want to Defend Yourself

At Ryan Garvey Attorneys, we understand what it takes to put together a strong defense in court. More importantly, though, we are passionate about defending our clients. We understand that passion provides the energy and determination that can help make a defense more convincing than it would otherwise be. You, certainly, would have passion if you were able to defend yourself. It’s the knowledge and experience of our team that sets us apart. Our goal is to represent you with that knowledge and experience, matched with the same level of passion that you would have in defending yourself. If you’re faced with criminal charges, or even just an investigation, contact us today for a consultation on your situation.