Why It Is Best to Retain a Suffolk County Criminal Lawyer Early On

Not everyone will have the opportunity to retain an attorney prior to arraignment on a criminal charge, however it is beneficial to retain an attorney as soon as possible for the following reasons.

• A Suffolk County Criminal Lawyer will act as a shield from police questioning thereby preventing a defendant from making incriminating statements that can later be used against him or her.
• The lawyer can investigate the allegations early on, identifying witnesses, gathering evidence and obtaining surveillance footage that may be lost or destroyed.
• Once charges are filed time limits begin to run. Retaining a lawyer early on can help avoid missing important deadlines.
• Help avoid accidentally consenting to illegal searches or consenting to being questioned by the police.
• At arraignment a lawyer can argue for reduced bail or for a client to be released on his or her own recognizance, no bail required.
• A lawyer that is retained early on can analyze the case for weaknesses such as illegal police conduct and formulate a strong defense from the onset.
• A Suffolk County Criminal Lawyer will handle all communications with law enforcement and the prosecutor, avoiding problems that arise when defendants communicate directly with them.
• A lawyer can often negotiate a resolution before a defendant is indicted on a felony charge, preventing harsh mandatory plea and sentencing guidelines.