If you are facing criminal charges in Franklin, Tennessee, you may be wondering what to do next.
You may be feeling scared, confused, or overwhelmed by the legal process and the potential consequences of your case.
You may be tempted to handle your case on your own or to accept a plea deal without consulting a lawyer.
However, these are not the best options for you. You need a criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and interests and to provide you with the best possible defense.
What a Franklin Criminal Defense Attorney Can Do for You
A Franklin criminal defense attorney is a legal professional who specializes in defending people who are accused of committing crimes in Franklin and the surrounding areas.
A Franklin criminal defense attorney can do many things for you, such as:
- Explain the charges and penalties: A Franklin criminal defense attorney can help you understand the nature and severity of the charges against you, the possible defenses, and the potential penalties. Depending on the type and degree of the crime, you may be facing fines, probation, community service, restitution, jail time, or prison time. A criminal defense attorney can explain the implications of each outcome and advise you on the best course of action.
- Protect your rights: A Franklin criminal defense attorney can protect your constitutional and legal rights throughout the criminal process. This includes your right to remain silent, your right to an attorney, your right to a fair trial, your right to due process, and your right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
- Negotiate with the prosecution: A Franklin criminal defense attorney can negotiate with the prosecution on your behalf to seek a favorable outcome for your case. This may include reducing or dismissing the charges, lowering the penalties, or reaching a plea bargain. A criminal defense attorney can use their knowledge and experience to assess the strength and weakness of your case and the prosecution’s case and to leverage their relationships and reputation with the prosecutors and judges.
- Prepare your case for trial: A Franklin criminal defense attorney can prepare your case for trial if no agreement is reached with the prosecution or if you decide to go to trial. This involves gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, hiring experts, filing motions, making objections, cross-examining witnesses, presenting arguments, and making closing statements. A criminal defense attorney can use their skills and strategies to persuade the judge or jury of your innocence or reasonable doubt.
How to Find a Franklin Criminal Defense Attorney
There are several ways to find a Franklin criminal defense attorney, such as:
- Referrals: You can ask for referrals from people you know who have hired or worked with a Franklin criminal defense attorney before. This can be a good way to find a trustworthy and reputable attorney who has proven results. However, you should also do your own research and verify the credentials and reputation of the referred attorney before hiring them.
- Online directories: You can use online directories such as FindLaw, Super Lawyers, or Justia to search for Franklin criminal defense attorneys by location, practice area, ratings, reviews, and other criteria. These directories can provide you with detailed profiles of each attorney, including their contact information, education, experience, awards, publications, and more. However, you should also be careful of any advertisements or sponsored listings that may not reflect the quality or suitability of the attorney for your case.
- Bar associations: You can contact the local or state bar associations such as the Williamson County Bar Association or the Tennessee Bar Association to get referrals or recommendations for Franklin criminal defense attorneys. These associations can provide you with a list of qualified and licensed attorneys who meet certain standards of ethics and professionalism. However, you should also be aware that these associations do not endorse or guarantee any specific attorney or their services.
How to Choose a Franklin Criminal Defense Attorney
Once you have found some potential candidates for your Franklin criminal defense attorney, you should do some further research and evaluation before making your final decision.
Here are some steps you can take to choose the best criminal defense attorney for your case:
- Consultation: You should schedule a consultation with each of the attorneys you are considering to discuss your case and get a sense of their personality, style, and approach. Most attorneys offer free initial consultations where they can review your case details, explain your rights and options, answer your questions, and give you an estimate of their fees and expenses. You should use this opportunity to assess how comfortable and confident you feel with each attorney and how well they communicate with you.
- Comparison: You should compare the qualifications, experience, expertise, communication, availability, and fees of each of the attorneys you are considering. You should look for an attorney who has the most relevant and successful experience in handling cases like yours, who has the most knowledge and skills in the area of law that applies to your case, who communicates clearly and respectfully with you and others, who is available and responsive to your needs, and who charges reasonable and transparent fees that fit your budget.
- Decision: You should make your final decision based on your personal preference and judgment. You should choose an attorney who you trust, respect, and feel comfortable with. You should also choose an attorney who you believe will represent your best interests and fight for your rights. You should avoid choosing an attorney based on pressure, promises, or guarantees that sound too good to be true. You should also avoid choosing an attorney who is rude, dishonest, or unprofessional.
Conclusion
Hiring a Franklin criminal defense attorney is one of the most important decisions you can make if you are facing criminal charges in Franklin, Tennessee.
A criminal defense attorney can help you understand the charges and penalties.
They can also protect your rights, negotiate with the prosecution, and prepare your case for trial.