Criminal Charges That a Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Takes On

Ever found yourself in a jam and desperately needing to get out of it?

Well, you’re not alone. People across the globe, each year, find themselves in this same kind of predicament.

So even if you currently are not in trouble with the law, based on statistics, there’s a real chance that you may encounter a situation in which you have to deal with criminal charges.

It is for this reason, and this reason alone, that it’s probably in your best interest to have an idea of the kinds of charges that criminal defense lawyers deal with when they represent their clients.

Non Violent and Violent Felony Charges

Felonies are serious crimes that are punishable with a prison sentence and a fine.

Non violent felony charges would be for crimes, such as destruction of property, drug violations, burglary and vandalism. Violent felony charges include murder, rape, attempted murder and arson.

Driving Under The Influence

Driving under influence or DUI is another common criminal charge that requires the representation of a criminal defense lawyer.

When a person is charged with a DUI, he can face a prison sentence, fines, community service and possibly the suspension of his license. The criminal defense lawyer would look at the evidence against the defendant and develop a strategy to prove that the defendant is not guilty.

Battery Charges

These are common charges that are handled by criminal defense attorneys and there are various kinds of criminal defense attorneys. A simple assault and battery charge is issued if the defendant hits or punches another person to the point where he is injured and will need medical care.

Aggravated assault and battery is similar to the simple assault charge but in this case a weapon is used. The weapon could be a gun, knife or other object. In some states, assault charges are brought against those involved in the abuse of senior citizens.

Misdemeanor Charges

There are several types of misdemeanor charges that are handled by criminal defense lawyers and many of these cases do not go to trial like the more serious criminal charges. Petty theft is a charge where someone is charged for stealing a substantial amount of things that have a total value of at least $500. Trespassing unlawfully on another's property would be considered a misdemeanor and there is contempt of court, where a defendant is charged for not obeying a court order.

Criminal Charges Vary By State

The level of punishment for certain criminal charges also vary by state, which is an important reason why you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to represent you when charged with a crime.

Conclusion

Having an understanding of the different kinds of criminal charges that exists help you understand what criminal defense lawyers do on a regular basis and should you ever find yourself charged with a crime, you will be in a better position to cooperate with the lawyer regarding the outcome of the case.

Finally, an understanding of these charges is helpful in negotiating for a lighter sentence or smaller fine.