Common Mistakes: 

When to hire an attorney?

It is important to retain a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible in the process after you have been arrested or after learning that you are under a criminal investigation.  Too many times, I see people wait on getting an attorney involved because either they think they cannot afford one, they don't need one yet, or they think they can handle the matter on their own.  Unfortunately, when this happens, the cards are often stacked against you by the time an attorney becomes involved in the case. 

When to speak to police?

Way too often people speak to police believing they can explain things, that they have nothing to hide, or that they outsmart the police.  When people do this, they often end up making incriminating statements that often lead to a conviction in their case.  Seeking advice from an attorney before speaking to the police is always a prudent course of action.

When to let the police search your house or car?

Similar to speaking to the police, people often let the police search their house or car when the police otherwise may not have the legal prerequisites to go and get a warrant to conduct such a search.  Generally speaking, a police officer needs to have probable cause to believe there is evidence of a crime in your house or car as well as a search warrant before he can perform a search.  There are some expections to this rule.  The exception perhaps used most is consent.  When the police obtain consent to search a house or car, they do not need probable cause nor a search warrant.  Way too often, evidence would not have been obtained but for the person giving his consent for the police to do the search.  Just because the police ask for consent does not mean it has to be given. 

Call Me Today!

Please contact me anytime! I look forward to hearing from you.