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First Thing: Do You Really Need a Lawyer?

One of the reasons for consulting with an attorney is to find out whether you actually need representation or not. That is something that can be decided only with the aid of experienced counsel, and only after he or she is familiar with all the facts of your case.

If I am Innocent of Criminal Charges Brought Against me, do I Still Need a Lawyer?

The fact that you are innocent doesn’t mean you will be found innocent. We all like to think that truth and justice always prevails, but unfortunately that is the ideal – not necessarily the reality. In fact, sometimes police and prosecutors are so eager to push cases through the system that innocent people are found guilty of crimes they did not commit. The only way to ensure that your rights are fully protected and that evidence in your favor is fully and fairly presented in court is to hire an experienced attorney to provide you with proper legal representation.

Do I Need a Lawyer if my Case is Still Under Investigation and no Charges Have Been Filed Against me?

Your need for the advice of counsel may be just as great during the course of a police investigation, as afterwards, when criminal charges have been filed. Bear in mind that police and prosecutors do not always give people the benefit of the doubt before filing charges. They also make mistakes.

Don’t assume that the police will fairly investigate all the facts, or that prosecutors will fairly decide whether or not you should be charged. Any evidence in your favor should be fully investigated and preserved by your own attorney as early as possible. He might also bring this evidence to the attention of the police and prosecutors if they can be persuaded not to file charges against you.

Remember: it is sometimes easier to convince prosecutors not to file charges in the first place than it is to persuade them to dismiss charges once they have been filed.

If the Government Hasn’t Filed Charges Against me After a Long Period of Time, Does That Mean I Probably Won’t be Charged?

Not necessarily. Prosecutors can file criminal charges at any time within the applicable “statute of limitations” which, for many crimes, is several years. It may be that prosecutors haven’t filed charges against you only because they are still investigating the facts. This process can takes months, even years.

What can a Lawyer do for me if Charges Have not yet Been Filed?

Your lawyer might be able to persuade prosecutors that there are good reasons why charges shouldn’t be filed against you. Perhaps there is a legal reason why the law doesn’t apply to your factual situation. Perhaps there are weaknesses in the evidence that law enforcement officials have overlooked. Perhaps there are others who are more criminally responsible than you are. For a variety of reasons, an attorney might be able to convince the authorities that you should not be the focus of their investigation.

Will Investigators Come to Speak to me Before Charges are Filed?

Maybe. Maybe not. If they think you’ll talk to them and that your statement would help their case, they might try to interview you. Whether you should speak to them is sometimes a complex decision that is best made with the advice of counsel.

If I am Guilty, and if I Plead Guilty, Will I get Probation if This is my First Offense?

Don’t count on it. The judge may be bound by sentencing guidelines that have removed a great deal of discretion from their hands. You could find yourself sent off to prison even if the judge believes that you would make a good candidate for probation. Judges can also be overly harsh in their sentencing, depending upon the facts of the case and the recommendation of the prosecutor.

An experienced counsel can advise you of strategies for increasing your chances of being placed on probation. Only with an attorney can you be confident that the state will not take advantage of you if you plead guilty.

What can a Lawyer do if Charges Have Already Been Filed?

First, your lawyer will evaluate the evidence to determine if the government can prove its case against you. Sometimes prosecutors are mistaken about the strength of their evidence and can be persuaded to abandon their case after hearing both sides of the story. Other times, prosecutors can be persuaded to dismiss charges because of changes in the evidence.

If the evidence against you is too strong to obtain a dismissal of charges, your attorney will evaluate whether it is in your best interest to go to trial or obtain a negotiated plea bargain. Only an experienced criminal defense attorney can evaluate your chances for success at trial.

If you are likely to lose at trial, your attorney will attempt to negotiate the best possible deal that can be obtained from the prosecution. Sometimes, those who are willing to deal early in the proceedings are able to avoid jail or other significant penalties such as large fines.

First Thing: Do You Really Need a Lawyer?

Finally, if you and your attorney decide to take your chances and go to trial, your attorney will develop evidence in your favor with the goal of persuading a jury that there is a reasonable doubt as to whether you are guilty of the charges. If you ask the question, First Thing: Do You Really Need a Lawyer? You probably need a lawyer.


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★★★★★
"Mr. Steinberg provided my family with expert handling of my son's case. He took extra time understand the case, to consult with us during the pretrial proceedings, and to support him for a plea agreement. Mr. Steinberg is very knowledge about the law and very professional. He guided us in achieving the best possible outcome for my son. If I am ever in need of law services again, I will certainly have Mr. Steinberg handle my case. l also highly recommend his services to anyone that might be in need of an excellent defense attorney!" Tanya Witt
★★★★★
"I found myself in criminal trouble, that I wasn't guilty of and thanks to Mr. Steinberg's dedication and hard work, right before we we're looking at having to continue on to trial level Mr. Steinberg was able to use his vast knowledge of the law and his many respected years in the system to find a way to show my innocence. After a very unsure and somewhat difficult time for me, this very skilled and knowledgeable attorney was able to find the right path to take to reach a dismissal in my case. For that I can't tell you how much I appreciate his representation and his excellent understanding and helpful personality. He's a great man and an even better attorney but don't misunderstand him, he is an attorney not a therapist. Thanks H." Josh
★★★★★
"Working with Michael Steinberg was a wonderful experience. Truly people need to know that he is a expert in what he does. His personality is compassionate, intellectual, and down to earth. I glean that Michael is fun to be around. In the time I worked with him, it was a pleasure to be around him. As for my case, the outcome was amazing and couldn’t be better. He has made my life more manageable because of the outcome of my case. I’ve worked with other lawyers in the Denver area. He is superior to them all. If you’re in need of a lawyer and you come across Mr. Steinberg look no further he’s going to be the one you need. Thank you again Michael." Renee Taylor
★★★★★
Mr. Steinberg, It has been an honor working with you. I very much appreciated your style, demeanor, patience, and determination. I was well instructed in every step of the court process, and I felt that I received excellent guidance and timely information regarding my case. You have been extremely thoughtful with your time, and I was very impressed with your sensitivity in responding to my requests. Thank you. Anonymous
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