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MINNESOTA FELONY CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

BEING ARRESTED IN MANKATO IS JUST THE BEGINNING

When facing a criminal charge, an accused person can feel paralyzed by the uncertainty of what to do next—at a time when your case demands immediate attention. Before anything else, it’s important to remember that being arrested doesn’t mean you’re guilty. The prosecution will need to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt for a conviction to stick.

To start planning your defense strategy, consult a qualified defense lawyer. This gives you the best chance of overcoming this hardship and moving on with your life. With a criminal charge on your hands, the stakes are high. Your case requires the services of a criminal defense attorney who has helped people in situations like yours. 

QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS  

When someone is arrested or charged with a crime for the first time, many questions remain unanswered. The process of finding accurate information that considers your specific crimes and local/state laws can be quite challenging. During a consultation with our experienced Mankato criminal defense lawyers, we can help to ease your mind by answering frequently asked questions, such as: 

WHAT ARE MY LEGAL RIGHTS? 

Criminal defendants are legally guaranteed certain rights under federal law and rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court. Among these are the Miranda Rights, which are read by an arresting officer and must communicate the following: 

• You have the right to remain silent
• Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law
• You have the right to consult an attorney 
• If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you. 

The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments also provide constitutional rights for defendants. These include: 

• Right to demand probable cause for searches and seizures
• Right to remain silent
• Right against double jeopardy
• Right to representation
• Right to a speedy trial
• Right to a public jury trial 
• Right to confront witnesses
• Right to a reasonable bail 
• Right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment 

HOW DOES A CRIMINAL RECORD AFFECT ME?

Criminal records can have detrimental effects on people. Even minor criminal charges are enough to take away your freedom and civil liberties. These may include:

• Subsequent criminal case: Having an existing criminal record can lead to a person facing more severe penalties and sentencing. 
• Child custody: Child custody rights may be restricted if a parent has a criminal record, particularly in cases of domestic abuse or violence. 
• Immigration: Immigrants with criminal records might be denied a green card, naturalization, and changed immigration status.
• Employment: A person with criminal convictions often has difficulty finding work. Employers usually require and perform extensive criminal background checks.
• Driving and other benefits: Criminal records can result in the loss of driving privileges, revoked right to own a firearm, difficulty receiving financial aid for school, difficulty finding housing, and much more. 

WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY IN MANKATO 

Criminal defense attorneys have years of education and experience to help them with the finer nuances of criminal defense. No two cases are ever the same, and defense attorneys are trained to find and exploit the differences to your advantage. Through their years of trial experience, they have learned to find the small facts and arguments that can make big differences in the outcome. Criminal law is extremely complex, and there are many ways to reduce or negate charges.

That being said, a criminal defense attorney should never “promise” to get you an acquittal or similar outcome. It’s simply not possible to know that with 100% certainty, so it’s unethical to make such a promise. A criminal defense lawyer’s job is to use every tool available to mitigate your charges or attempt to get them dismissed. They fight for your rights as a person and stand on your side, even when other people might not.