TELL ME YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY
817-332-2222
If you’ve recently been arrested for a crime, you are at the preliminary stages of what could be a very long journey through the criminal justice system. The process varies from state to state, but there are several steps that most criminal cases will follow – regardless if the case ends early from a plea bargain or goes through trial litigation. In this blog, our Fort Worth criminal defense attorney explains the various steps a criminal case takes.
Criminal cases always start with an arrest. What are the circumstances pertaining to your arrest? Do you know if you’ve been arrested or detained? Were you read your rights? These are important questions to consider when you are placed under arrest.
After you’ve been arrested, but before bail is posted, you’ll go through the booking process. This will occur in the police station, and you’ll have your fingerprints and photo taken. You’ll also go through a background check and basic information such as name, age, height, weight, date of birth, and address will be gathered.
How much will it cost you to get out of jail? Bail is cash or a bond that an arrested individual gives to a court to ensure that they will show up in court when they are ordered and scheduled to do so. In the event that you do not show up to your court date, the court can keep the bail and instead issue a warrant for your arrest.
This is your first appearance in court after you’ve been arrested. Depending on the severity of your crime, there’s a chance you’ll have to wait until arraignment to have your bail set. During this time, you’ll learn about your right to have an attorney defend you against the allegations you face. Do not hesitate to take action and retain representation from a defense lawyer – no matter the nature of your case, you should avoid representing yourself. Having an attorney can help guide you to make the best possible decisions for your case.
A majority of cases do not go to trial and most of them are settled out of court with plea bargains and agreements. The important thing to remember is that under a plea bargain, in order to bargain successfully, you must have something to bargain in the first place. This is where having an attorney can be extremely helpful.
During a preliminary hearing, the prosecution will attempt to convince the judge that there is sufficient evidence to show that not only was a crime committed, but that you are the one who committed the crime. During this hearing, your defense lawyer will try to convince that there is not enough evidence, or that the evidence presented is not convincing enough.
If the plea bargain was unsuccessful or truly maintain your innocence, you are given the option to take the trial to criminal court, wherein a jury will decide whether or not you are guilty. Trials can be a lengthy process before a verdict is finally reached.
Being arrested and facing criminal charges can be an overwhelming and rather isolating ordeal. When your future is hanging in the balance, you should look no further than the Law Office of A. Oliver Hassibi for aggressive representation that works to safeguard your rights and liberties. As a Fort Worth criminal defense attorney, I take the time to listen to your story, addresses any and all concerns, and stand by your side every step of the way.
Call (817) 826-9821 today to schedule your free consultation today.
Fort Worth Attorney
© All Rights Reserved
2101 Moneda St.
Haltom City, TX 76117
Map & Directions [+]