Criminal Defense Attorney in Washington DC
Washington, D.C., has been America’s capital for most of the country’s history. It is home to many important landmarks such as the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument. The area surrounding the nation’s capital is home to a number of professional sports teams such as the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It’s worth noting that if you commit a crime, there is a good chance that you will be prosecuted by federal authorities.
If You Are Contacted by District Authorities
In the event that you are stopped by the police, it’s important to understand that you have the right to remain silent. Although you don’t need to be informed of this right until you’re being taken into custody, it exists from the moment an officer would like to speak with you. This means that you don’t need to admit that you had been drinking just prior to being pulled over or that you have anything in particular in your backpack or in your vehicle. Furthermore, you do not have to consent to a search of your home, car, or other items.
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)
The Elements of a Valid Search or Seizure
For a search to be considered valid, there must be probable cause to conduct it. This may occur if an officer notices the smell of alcohol coming from your breath during a traffic stop or notices the smell of marijuana coming from your house.
Alternatively, an officer may ask a judge for a warrant to conduct a search and remove items from your car, home, or backpack. It may also be possible to remove goods from your person if there is reason to believe that they were used to commit a crime or might be used to commit future crimes.
Finally, if you give an officer permission to conduct a search, it can be done without a warrant or other criteria being met. As a general rule, it’s in your best interest to wait for a warrant to be issued. This is because you don’t necessarily know what authorities might find. If anything is found, it could be used as justification to expand the scope of an investigation.
Don’t Hesitate to Hire an Attorney
The quicker that you hire an attorney, the less likely it is that you’ll make a mistake that might undermine your legal position. For instance, your attorney may be able to make statements on your behalf to local television stations or other media outlets. Your advocate may also work with the government on your behalf to determine what they know and to begin plea negotiations if you’re looking to make a deal.
If you are being held in jail, your Washington, D.C., criminal defense attorney may serve as an outlet to the outside world. An attorney may also be able to pass messages to friends, family members, or others who you may not feel comfortable talking to on the phone or through other means that may be monitored.
Reasons to Consider Hiring The Criminal Defense Law Firm
The Criminal Defense Law Firm has a roster of attorneys who have spent time as federal agents and prosecutors. Therefore, regardless of the crime that you’re charged with, we will likely be able to pair you with someone who understands what the government is thinking as your case unfolds.
For example, if you are being charged with tax evasion, you may be paired with someone who has spent time with the IRS. If you are being charged with drug crimes, you may be paired with someone who has worked with the DEA. The person who is tasked with defending your interests will likely be able to use their past experience to craft a defense strategy that meets your needs.
Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about a junior associate handling your case. We find that dealing only with senior level associates allows us to be more efficient from a financial standpoint as well as more successful as it relates to defending your interests.
The Types of Cases Our Firm Handles
Our firm will typically help our clients with almost any type of criminal case that they bring to us. Therefore, if you are charged with drunk driving, we’ll create a defense designed to get you the best outcome in your case. If you are charged with murder, tax evasion, or eluding the police, we will create defenses tailored to your needs in those scenarios as well. Let’s take a closer look at the types of cases we deal with on a fairly regular basis.
Assault and Battery
Assault is a fairly common offense because all you need to do is intentionally put someone else in apprehension that they are going to suffer imminent harm. To be charged with battery, you must actually make contact with another person without that person’s consent and with the intent to cause bodily injury.
Larceny
Larceny means that you have taken cash or other items from a person or retailer without permission to do so. You may be guilty of this crime whether you used force to take items or not. You may be charged with either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of the items taken.
Drunk Driving
You can be charged with DUI if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is more than .08%, which is about four drinks in less than four hours. You can also be charged with this crime if you are found to be under the influence of illicit drugs or prescription medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my rights are violated?
Any evidence that is obtained illegally will likely be suppressed before or at trial. For instance, if you were the victim of an illegal search and seizure, any evidence obtained because of it will likely be kept from the jury. The same might be true of any statements that you made while under duress or prior to being told of your Miranda rights.
What happens during the initial consultation?
During the initial consultation, you’ll have an opportunity to talk about the charges you face and why you are being targeted by authorities. You may also have an opportunity to talk about the type of outcome you’d like in your case. For instance, if you’re a parent, you may want to reach a plea deal that avoids jail time or significant fines. Alternatively, you may want to reach a plea deal so that you can get to jail and complete your sentence as quickly as possible so that you can be there for your kids as they get older.
Do I have to pay for the consultation?
No, there is no fee to talk to us about your case. Furthermore, there is no obligation to hire us simply because you took a few minutes to chat with one of our representatives. It’s important to note that you will likely be covered by attorney-client privilege despite the fact that you haven’t hired us nor have you given us any money.
Contact The Criminal Defense Firm Today
If you are in need of a Washington, D.C., criminal defense attorney, feel free to contact The Criminal Defense Firm online or by calling the national intake hotline at 866-603-4540.