Do you need an attorney in Michigan?
If you got a speeding ticket, or lost control of your car on an icy road and bumped into a street sign, but didn’t stick around or report the accident, you could be cited by the police. While both of these count as breaking the law, some people think that you don’t need an attorney to represent you in court. However, if you have been charged with a crime, and we mean the kind of crime that will result in possible jail or prison time, then you are going to need an attorney. And quickly!
So, what kind of attorney do you need?
If you have been accused of a crime, you need a criminal defense attorney. That doesn’t mean you should just call up the first Michigan attorney that pops up when you do an online search. There are a number of things you need know in order to narrow down your search to ensure that you get the right criminal defense attorney for you.
Are the charges state or federal charges?
This makes a difference. If the law you are accused of breaking was a state law, you will need an attorney who can legally practice law in the state of Michigan. However, if you have been accused of a federal crime you will need an attorney who can defend you in federal court. Not all criminal lawyers in Michigan practice in federal court.
This can seem very confusing, and we understand that. The thing to remember here is that when you are charged with a federal crime, you are being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s office, as opposed to charges that are brought on a state level by the prosecuting attorney of a local county.
Another important point to remember is that when facing federal charges you will be prosecuted by a U. S. Attorney who has far more time and resources at hand and therefore, the case may be more complex and more time consuming. So be sure to select a seasoned, well-respected attorney with past experience and success in handling federal defenses. Practicing criminal defense in federal courts is very different than practicing in state courts.
Choose an attorney who can defend you properly
All defense attorneys practicing in the state of Michigan can defend you against pretty much any state charge ranging, from drunk driving, sexual assault to drug crimes. But not all of them are going to give you the best possible defense. Why? Because attorneys tend to focus their practices in certain areas, and choosing an attorney with no experience in handling the charges you are facing could mean a less-than-ideal defense. Choosing the right attorney to protect you is often the critical difference in the best outcome to a case.
As an example, at The Kronzek Firm, we have a number of attorneys on staff. While all of them are highly capable and very experienced, several of them specialize in particular areas of law, like sex crime defense, CPS defense, bankruptcy, wills/trusts and even family law. For this reason, we are able to meet every client’s needs by working together as a team, allowing those with more experience in certain areas to lead and guide a defense, to ensure the best possible outcome.
Join us next time for the next segment, where we’ll wrap up our guide on how to find the right attorney for you. It may not seem like the most exciting topic right now, but if the day ever comes where you need legal help, this advice will be invaluable! So swing by next time and check out the rest of the list. You won’t regret it, we promise!
Until then, if you need a skilled and experienced defense attorney who can handle cases in both federal and state courts, and can represent you no matter what you’re accused of, then you need The Kronzek Firm. Call us today at 866-766-5245. An attorney is standing by to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even during the holidays.