Criminal Defense Attorneys in Connecticut
With thousands of cases behind us, we at The Sills Law Firm have had the opportunity to handle a wide variety of criminal cases. The criminal process can be difficult to understand, especially for those who are facing the judicial system for the first time. Our knowledgeable legal team has collected some of the most common questions we come across regarding the criminal process in the state of Connecticut. We hope you find this information useful.
Our Connecticut DUI Lawyers Explain Below.
What does the criminal process entail?
The criminal process starts with an investigation, which leads to an arrest. Once charges are filed, bond is set either by a judge, police officer or bail commissioner. The person is release once bond is posted and is given a court date for arraignment. The arrested individual can request a bond hearing the next business day if bond could not be posted.
Will I be asked to plead guilty or not guilty at my arraignment?
It is possible that you will be asked to make a plea. The initial court dates involve obtaining discovery, meeting with the prosecutor, and getting a copy of the file.
How long does the process take?
Because each case is different, there is no one size fits all answer to this question. For the most part, misdemeanors will require four to five court appearance before a resolution can be reached. The process can be longer for felony crimes. The process can be lengthy because of discovery, evidence examination, and meetings with prosecutors. In Connecticut, only five percent of cases go to trial. Most cases are negotiated with a plea bargain.
Will I be arrested when I make my court appearance?
Unless there is a warrant out for your arrest, you should not be arrested during your court appearance. A prosecutor may ask the judge to raise your bond if there is good reason to do so, such as failing drug test screenings. Very rarely do prosecutors make an offer for immediate jail time.
Do I really need to hire an attorney if I have been arrested?
A lot of individuals think they do not heed legal representation and that they can represent themselves. Please keep in mind that prosecutors do not have a reputation for being lenient. Their job is to prosecute you. The possibilities of reaching a favorable outcome for your case are greatly enhanced when you have a skilled Connecticut criminal defense attorney on your side.
Need More Information? Contact The Sills Law Firm Without Delay.
If you were recently arrested, you are surely feeling overwhelmed and concerned about the road up ahead. Our legal team is here to help you get through this. We can guide you through the legal system so that you don’t make a misstep. Let us put our 20+ years of combined experience to work for you.
FOR THE HIGH-QUALITY CRIMINAL DEFENSE YOU NEED, PLEASE GIVE US A CALL TODAY!
