Knowing how a solicitor could handle your case is essential if you’re facing criminal charges. A criminal solicitor is a legal professional who can help you with all aspects of your case, from getting an attorney and understanding the law to negotiating plea deals and reducing charges in court.
Here’s how a criminal solicitor can reduce your charges:
Why Would You Want to Reduce the Charges?
There are many reasons to reduce the charges against you. Reducing the impact on your life and family is one of the most important reasons for reducing criminal charges. If you have a job, it can be challenging to get another one if your record is bad enough that employers would ask about past convictions.
You might also lose access to certain government benefits like Medicaid or food stamps, which could end up costing thousands of dollars each year.
It’s essential not only to consider whether reducing your charges will help you in this regard but also what kind of benefit those savings would bring: Would they go towards paying off debts? Would they be used towards clearing up other financial obligations (like student loans)?
What Kinds of Charges Can a Criminal Solicitor Reduce?
If your charges are minor, a criminal solicitor can reduce them to less serious ones. It is the case with most summary offenses, which are dealt with at court by a magistrate or justice of the peace and have no maximum penalty.
The solicitor may also negotiate with the prosecutor on whether charges should be indictable (which means they carry a maximum sentence of 14 years) or grave (which means they have a maximum sentence of life).
In some cases, such as when someone has been charged with drug trafficking but only found in possession of small quantities of drugs that won’t lead to conviction anyway, or where someone has admitted their guilt but denies any intent to sell illicit substances.
It could reduce the severity level from either indictable or grave down to something more akin to minor offenses like possessing cannabis for personal use without intent.
How Exactly Does it Work?
The solicitor will review the case and assess the evidence before deciding if they can reduce your charges. If they can, they’ll negotiate with the prosecution.
And if they can’t? Well, then, it’s time for you to decide whether or not to plead guilty.
Of course, we’ll cover other factors in this process later in this article, so don’t worry if things seem complicated at first!
Be Proactive about Your Case and Call a Solicitor As Soon As Possible
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, it is essential to contact a solicitor as soon as possible. It will help you understand the charges and the options available to reduce them.
If you don’t call a solicitor, you could miss out on opportunities to reduce the charges on your case.
Verdict!
If you are facing criminal charges, working with a criminal defense solicitor is essential. A criminal solicitor can help you:
- Understand the charges against you
- Review your case and evidence
- Negotiate with the prosecution
- Make important decisions about your case.
So, if you are facing criminal charges, don’t hesitate to call a qualified solicitor today!