Choosing the best Providence criminal defense lawyer in Rhode Island can be a daunting task. After all, you're looking for a criminal defense attorney who is both knowledgeable and experienced with criminal cases. It's not as simple as finding the closest criminal defense lawyer or the cheapest one. Here are some tips on how to choose a good criminal defense lawyer, what they'll do for your case, and why it pays to work with an experienced criminal attorney.
What Types of Cases Does A Criminal Defense Lawyer Handle?
Criminal defense lawyers in Providence Rhode Island typically handle cases related to criminal law. These can include criminal charges for anything from DUI and assault and battery, all the way up to murder. The majority of their work will be in defending individuals who are charged with a crime against another person or property in Providence RI. The law firm may also provide representation for minors facing criminal charges as well as those charged with drug offenses such as cocaine possession and trafficking, among others. This is not an exhaustive list but it's one that covers most criminal situations where you would need a law office that specializes in criminal defense law in Providence RI.
DUI Charges in Providence Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, a DUI is considered to be driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08% or higher and may carry penalties such as fines, community service hours, license suspension for up to 30 days in addition to the criminal charge. Is it important that you know your rights when facing these charges which are not only serious but can also affect many aspects of life, so getting legal advice from a lawyer who specializes in criminal defense and defending drunk drivers is critical.
Assault Charges in Providence RI
In Rhode Island, assault is considered to be committing an act that causes bodily injury or intentionally placing another person in reasonable fear of imminent serious physical injury. Assault charges are taken very seriously and can lead to a permanent criminal record as well as hefty fines for the defendant.
In order to defend yourself against these allegations it's important you have experienced criminal defense lawyers on your side who understands how assault cases work in Providence RI because they deal with them all day long so getting legal help from an experienced attorney will give you the best chance at criminal justice in court.
Misdemeanor Crimes in Providence RI
There are many misdemeanor crimes in Providence RI that you can be charged with. Some of these include: assault, stalking, or domestic violence/battery against a family or household member, including spouses and children. These cases may also involve other charges such as breaking and entering, larceny from the person, malicious property damage, kidnapping, carrying a concealed weapon without good cause etc.
The punishment for these misdemeanors is up to one year in prison and fines between $500-$1000 depending on what crime it was; if there's more than one charge then they could face additional penalties such as serving time consecutively instead of concurrently (ie having multiple things happening at once)
Tips For Choosing The Best Providence Criminal Defense Lawyer
Discuss your case with a Rhode Island criminal defense lawyer and ask about their experience in handling cases similar to yours. Ask if they or someone in their law office has ever served as a prosecutor or public defender.
Ask your lawyer if they are experienced in taking criminal cases to federal court if necessary, or how much years of experience experience their lawyers have handling felony cases in Providence.
Speak frankly but politely; it is not difficult for experienced lawyers to tell when their client is not being honest, so do your best to be honest from the start.
Don't shy away from the free consultation. Most attorneys offer a consultation to help you understand the criminal law process and understand your first steps after you have been arrested.