You may experience many different emotions during an interaction with a police officer, such as fear or anxiety about what may happen. These emotions may be heightened by the prospect of being taken into custody or being sent to jail. However, working with a criminal defense attorney in the Rockford, IL, area may help you make the best of a difficult situation. Here’s what you should know.
Everyone Is Entitled to an Attorney
Anyone who is facing a criminal charge that could result in jail time has the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford to hire a criminal defense attorney, one will be appointed by the court. However, it may be in your best interest to hire a private attorney as those individuals handle fewer cases at a time. This means that they are able to spend more time and effort in researching your case and creating a legal argument.
You Can Talk to Counsel Freely
The law says that communications between a defendant and an attorney are privileged. In other words, your attorney cannot give a judge, prosecutor or media outlet any information that you have shared privately with him or her. In most cases, this means that you can admit your guilt without fear that the revelation will be made public.
Your Attorney Has a Duty to Serve Your Interests
The person who defends you in court has an ethical and professional obligation to do whatever it takes to help obtain a favorable outcome in your case. This could mean that you receive a favorable plea deal that keeps you out of jail, or it could also mean receiving many years in jail instead of a life sentence depending on the facts of the case and the charges that you face. If you are looking for quality legal counsel, you can get in touch with one of the criminal defense attorneys in Rockford, IL, at TheCrosbyLawFirm.com today.