Do I have to speak to the police after an arrest?
You are not required to give any statements to the law enforcement officer following an arrest. As explained in the Miranda rights that will be read to you, you have the right to remain silent as well as the right to an attorney. After an arrest, you should seek an experienced attorney for everything you say can and will be used against you during your trial.
How do I know what evidence the state has against me?
Your Dictrict Attorney's office will request to acquire all reports relevant to your case after charges have been filed. Discovery, or reports and additional information from your case, is then made available to you and your attorney.
If I plan on pleading guilty, do I still need an attorney?
It is crucial that you hire a criminal defense attorney to protect your rights, regardless of what you think your decision will be. It is never a good idea to represent yourself in court as prosecution seeks to bring the most severe penalties possible in criminal cases. An experienced attorney from the Law Offices of Carney and Good is able to work with you through this process.
What's the difference between probation and parole?
Parole refers to a shortened amount of time spent in prison whereas probation is an alternative to prison in exchange for specific terms. Parole is supposed to help people finish their criminal sentence outside of jail if a portion is already completed.
What's the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
When charged with a felony you will face imprisonment for one or more years whereas a misdemeanor prison sentence is less than a year.