How to Protect Yourself Against Criminal Charges

If you are looking for criminal defense attorneys in New York City, here are some tips for you. The government will be trying to get you convicted of the most serious crimes, those that carry the maximum guidelines sentences and mandatory minimum penalties. You may be surprised to know that you’re not alone. There are many other people who face criminal charges, and these tips can help you understand what you’re up against. So, what is the best way to protect yourself?

Complaints

A complaint states the essential facts about the offense. The information sheet provides details about the attorney, facts, co-defendants, and defendant’s status. This sheet helps the judge set deadlines and preliminary hearing dates. The information sheet also provides the court with relevant evidence, such as police reports. Generally, the information sheet must state the facts and allegations that support the charges. Otherwise, the complaint is invalid. But sometimes, an information sheet can provide helpful information.

Information

Before you begin the process of preparing for your trial, you should know what the information about criminal charges means. This document is like an indictment but without the grand jury. It’s prepared by the prosecutor and must contain certain details and be based on police reports, law enforcement documents, and statements from other people. It is filed with the provincial court and used by the Crown prosecutor to initiate the trial process. Although the information can be intimidating to read, it is crucial to prepare and give any relevant information about your criminal history.

Court proceedings

Court proceedings for criminal charges take place in a set of stages, beginning with the arrest and ending with trial. A majority of criminal cases end with a plea bargain, in which the defendant pleads guilty before the trial begins and is sentenced on lesser charges or receives a lighter sentence in exchange for a guilty plea. In some cases, the prosecution will agree to a plea bargain, which will allow the defendant to have the case dismissed or avoid trial entirely.

Statute of limitations for filing charges

Depending on the specific type of crime, the statute of limitations for filing criminal charges may vary. For example, under 18 USC 371 a person must be under the age of 21 to commit fraud against the United States. While this may not seem like much, the law says that this age begins to run when the defendant knowingly commits a federal crime. Also, a person can extend the statute of limitations for certain crimes by three years, such as fraud or breach of a fiduciary duty.