Criminal Defense Attorney in Jacksonville, NC

Being arrested or charged with a crime can introduce a great deal of anxiety and stress into your life. You worry about the possibility of fines or prison time and dealing with the stigma of a criminal record.

You deserve to have experienced legal representation to fight for your rights and interests. When you need a criminal defense lawyer in Jacksonville, NC, turn to The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A.

Contact our firm today for a free case evaluation to speak to a Jacksonville, NC criminal defense attorney about your charges. We’re ready to lay out your options for defending your rights, interests, freedom, and future from the consequences of a criminal conviction.

What Do Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyers Do?

Criminal defense lawyers perform many tasks throughout a criminal case. At the beginning of a case, our legal team will investigate the facts and evidence underlying the criminal charges. After understanding the facts and researching the relevant law, an attorney will offer legal advice to their client on the potential and likely outcomes in their case, based on factors such as the specific type of charges, the client’s criminal history, and even the prosecutor and judge handling the client’s case.

In most cases, our criminal defense attorney will work to have their client’s criminal charges reduced or dismissed. Defense lawyers can do this by having the prosecution’s evidence excluded from the case or making legal arguments to show that the prosecution’s case cannot meet the standard required to bring charges to trial.

In addition to seeking a reduction or dismissal of charges, criminal defense lawyers will frequently negotiate a plea deal on behalf of their client when the prosecution’s case is likely to result in a conviction at trial.

If the prosecution has a weak case or if the client wishes to contest their charges at trial, our criminal defense lawyer will advocate the client’s case to the jury, working to establish reasonable doubt as to the client’s guilt to obtain an acquittal.

Our criminal defense attorneys can also help a client with other personal circumstances related to their criminal case, including advising on potential immigration consequences of a conviction and addressing the client’s anxiety, frustrations, and fears throughout the criminal justice process.

How Can Our Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorney Help Me?

Hiring our criminal defense lawyer can provide you with several significant advantages and benefits in your case, such as:

  • They know the law. Although this seems rather obvious, having an attorney with a thorough knowledge of criminal law and the criminal justice system can mean the difference between conviction and acquittal or between a maximum sentence and a less severe one. They can identify weaknesses and loopholes that provide you with an effective legal strategy, such as knowing whether a police search violated your rights or whether prosecution evidence is admissible in court.
  • They have experience in negotiation. Many criminal cases end in a plea bargain. Our criminal defense lawyers will know what a reasonable plea agreement should be. An attorney may secure a more favorable outcome than you might receive if you attempted to negotiate a plea deal yourself.
  • They can build a persuasive defense. Our criminal defense attorneys will know what evidence to look for to lay the foundation for a compelling defense. Experienced attorneys will also have connections with investigators and experts in various fields who can provide effective testimony or evidence at trial.
  • They can support you through the process. Facing criminal charges can feel like the entire system is stacked against you. Having a legal representation can help you by assuring you that you have someone standing up for your rights and interests.

How Much Do Criminal Defense Lawyers in North Carolina Cost?

Although you can’t put a price on your freedom, reputation, and future, determining how to afford a criminal defense attorney is still a reasonable consideration.

A private criminal defense attorney will charge clients either on an hourly fee basis or by a fixed fee. If charging an hourly rate, an attorney may require that a client provide an upfront retainer of funds that the attorney will then bill their hourly fee against.

If a criminal defendant lacks the financial resources to afford a criminal defense attorney, the court may appoint a government-employed public defender or an attorney who has agreed to represent indigent criminal defendants. Generally, a defendant’s constitutional right to counsel applies when a criminal charge carries the potential of jail or prison time.

What Should I Look for When Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney?

Although the decision to hire a particular criminal defense attorney is typically based on your individual circumstances, goals, and preferences, some of the factors you should look for when evaluating potential legal representation for your criminal case include:

  • Experience – How much experience does the attorney or firm have in handling criminal matters? How much experience do they have with the specific types of charges that you are facing? Do they have experience in the particular court that will hear your case?
  • Favorable references – Look for the attorney’s or firm’s reviews on Google, Facebook, or Yelp, and on legal-focused platforms such as Avvo. What do their past clients say about how the lawyer or firm works? Were those clients happy with their representation?
  • Resources – It is often preferable to hire a law firm rather than a solo attorney since a firm with multiple attorneys experienced in criminal law can work together to build your case. If your case may require forensic investigation or expert witnesses, you’ll want to ensure that the attorney or firm you choose has connections with reliable expert resources.
  • Communication – Facing criminal charges can prove to be incredibly stressful. You’ll want an attorney or firm that makes it easy for you to communicate with them. Make a note of how easily you can initially get a hold of the firm and how respectful and responsive the attorney or firm seems. Can you work well with the attorney or firm, or do they leave you with a bad impression?

When Should You Hire a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorney?

Ideally, you should consider hiring our criminal defense attorneys at the earliest possible moment that you know or suspect that you may be facing criminal charges. Even if you haven’t been arrested or formally charged, our criminal defense attorneys can get to work on your behalf investigating your case and communicating with law enforcement and prosecutors to try to clear your name from criminal suspicion.

If police or prosecutors do choose to charge you with a crime, an attorney can help organize your surrender to law enforcement and the arraignment process so that you can avoid the embarrassment of being arrested at your home or job and can get through the arrest, booking, and charging process as quickly as possible.

If you have been arrested or charged with criminal offenses, you need to hire our criminal defense lawyer immediately. The criminal justice system can move very quickly once charges are filed against you. You need experienced legal representation to help you understand your rights and options and to guide you through each step of your case.

Visit Our Criminal Defense Law Offices

Get Help from Our Criminal Defense Lawyer in Jacksonville, NC

Learn more about how having our criminal defense attorneys on your side can make the difference in getting the most favorable outcome in your case. If you’ve been arrested or are facing criminal charges in Jacksonville, NC, contact The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., today for a free, confidential consultation with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer.