Connecticut Criminal Defense Attorney
Connecticut is home to Yale, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the United States and the world. It is also the home of Mark Twain, who was an American author who is still widely read and quoted today. While the state has a long history of being at the forefront of protecting people’s rights, it doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you want while within its borders. Let’s take a closer look at what you should know if you are charged with a crime by Connecticut authorities.
Stay Silent If You Can
The best thing that you can do when police accuse you of a crime is to remain silent. This is because they may try to get you to acknowledge that you were drinking prior to being pulled over or that you have drugs in your car. Admitting that you have been drinking or using drugs may be used as probable cause to search yourself or your vehicle. It may also be used as justification to take you into custody.
If any representative of the state asks you to answer questions, you should first ask for an attorney. All questioning must come to an end after you ask for an attorney to be present. Ideally, you will do so as specifically as possible to avoid confusion. It’s possible that authorities may argue that they had the right to interrogate you after you had asked for counsel because they weren’t clear that you had done so.
It is worth noting that any statements that you make voluntarily will likely be used against you in court. Therefore, even if you think that talking might help you get home faster or lead to charges being dropped, there is no guarantee that this will happen. Instead, you should assume that talking will do little more than harm your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome in your case.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA
Amanda Marshall
Former U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Joe Brown
Former U.S. Attorney
& Former District Attorney
Local Counsel
John W. Sellers
Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Local Counsel
Linda Julin McNamara
Former Chief, DOJ Appeals
Local Counsel
Joanne Fine DeLena
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Aaron L. Wiley
Former Federal Prosecutor
Local Counsel
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (OIG)
Chris Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Kevin M. Sheridan
Former Special Agent (FBI)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Dennis A. Wichern
Former Special Agent-in-Charge (DEA)
Our Firm Would Be Happy to Represent You
The majority of the attorneys at The Criminal Defense Firm are former federal prosecutors as well as former members of federal agencies such as the DOJ and IRS. Therefore, you can feel good that the person who is representing your interests can see your case from both sides of the courtroom.
It’s worth noting that the person who is assigned to your case will be by your side throughout the entire legal process. This means that you won’t have to worry about a junior associate or a paralegal gathering evidence or representing you at trial. Instead, you will have one contact within the firm who will do whatever it takes to get the best possible outcome in your case.
The Types of Cases Our Firm Handles
Our firm will likely be able to represent you in any number of criminal cases. For example, if you are charged with battery after punching someone at a bar or during a sporting event, we will likely be able to help. If you are charged with murder, arson, or other serious offenses, we may be able to create a defense to the charge that might help you avoid any criminal penalties.
A Connecticut criminal defense attorney from The Criminal Law Defense Firm may also help with drunk driving, reckless driving, and other offenses that might be committed while behind the wheel of a car. Finally, our team might be of assistance in cases involving theft, burglary, or drug possession. If you are facing any other type of criminal charge, don’t hesitate to contact our national intake number at 866-603-4540 for a free consultation.
The Various Outcomes You May Experience
An attorney cannot guarantee the outcome of a given case. However, there are several ways in which your case might go, and understanding these potential outcomes may make it easier to manage your emotions while your case plays out.
It’s possible that the charges will be dropped entirely at some point before a verdict is reached in your case. If the charges are dropped without prejudice, it’s possible that they will be refiled in the future.
It’s also possible that charges will be reduced as the result of a plea deal or because the government simply doesn’t think that there is enough evidence to pursue them. In such a scenario, it’s unlikely that they will be enhanced unless new evidence comes to light.
If your case goes to trial, you will either be found guilty or not guilty of the charges. It’s important to note that accepting a plea deal is the same as a conviction in your case.
What to Know About Bail
If you are allowed to post bail, there will likely be a number of conditions that you’ll need to adhere to. Most importantly, you will need to be available for court hearings for as long as your legal process unfolds. However, there may be instances in which it’s sufficient for your attorney to appear in your place.
You may also be required to refrain from using electronic devices, refrain from having contact from other parties in the case, and adhere to a curfew. Furthermore, you may be required to comply with regular drug and alcohol testing as well as wear an electronic monitoring device. Finally, you might be required to live at least 1,000 feet from a school or adhere to other requirements. Failing to do so may result in bail being revoked, in your confinement until trial, or in additional charges in your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the government monitor my computer activity?
It’s possible that the government will keep tabs on the social media sites that you use or make copies of anything that you post to a public audience. Generally speaking, this can be done without a warrant as you are in a public forum. However, the state would likely need a warrant to seize your computer or to gain access to records that are generally kept private. The Fourth Amendment limits the government’s ability to search or seize items if you have a reasonable expectation of privacy. If your Fourth Amendment rights are violated, your attorney may have grounds to have evidence suppressed, which can lead to a charge getting dismissed.
What charges might I face if I violate my bail conditions?
Violating the terms of your bail may result in a bail jumping charge or other potential misdemeanor offenses being added to your case. It’s possible that these charges may be dismissed if you agree to a plea deal. However, this gives the prosecution leverage to obtain an outcome that may not align with your best interests. Additionally, you can forfeit the amount that you posted and may be held in jail throughout the pre-trial process, or the judge can re-release you on harsher conditions and with an additional posting of bail. Your Connecticut criminal defense attorney may be able to convince the judge in your case that you made an honest mistake when you missed a court date or took other actions.
What is probable cause?
Probable cause is the justification used by a police officer or other agent of the state to search your home, car, or other belongings. For instance, if you are driving and make a minor traffic violation, like failure to signal, police may use that to justify a traffic stop, during which they will be on the lookout for drunk driving, even if there is otherwise no reason to believe a DUI crime has occurred. The fact that a weapon or drug paraphernalia is visible may also be used to justify a search or to take you into custody.
What is beyond a reasonable doubt?
To earn a conviction, a prosecutor must overcome the presumption of innocence granted to defendants in criminal cases. To do this, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed a crime. Examples of doubt may include a lack of a murder weapon, the fact that the supposed victim won’t testify in court, or the fact that one of the state’s witnesses told a different story while being examined by the defense.
What happens if a jury doesn't reach a unanimous verdict?
If the jury in your case can’t reach a unanimous verdict, a mistrial might be declared. In such a scenario, the prosecution can either drop the case or state its intention to hold a new trial. There is also a chance that the jury will be instructed to continue deliberating in the hopes that a verdict can be reached without having to try the case again.
Contact The Criminal Defense Firm for Legal Help in Connecticut Today
You can get in touch with The Criminal Defense Firm by contacting us online or calling our law offices at (866) 603-4540.