Getting a Criminal Charge Dismissed or Reduced
Jun 17th, 2022 | by Scott C. Thomas, Orange County Criminal Law Attorney
Jun 17th, 2022 | by Scott C. Thomas, Orange County Criminal Law Attorney
You need help! You’ve been charged with a crime and the authorities are already involved. You may feel like your life is over. You may feel as though all hope is lost. You’re probably asking yourself, “How can I get these charges dismissed?”
It’s true that a criminal conviction can have serious repercussions as it relates to your life and future. However, suffering a conviction is not a foregone conclusion. There are a myriad of ways to fight a case convictions are not the only outcome if you have criminal charges. Getting a criminal charge or case dismissed may be possible, but it’s always possible. This can be rarely but is it easy?
What should you do first? Hire an experienced Orange County attorney!
If you have done nothing wrong and are innocent, one of the benefits of hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney is having an advocate. Your counselor in your corner to help get you through a stressful situation and demonstrate your innocence. If successful, your case will be dismissed or you will be acquitted.
On the other hand, if you have committed a crime and do not have a viable defense, you really need an experienced criminal defense attorney. Having one in your corner to see if there are any legal defenses, factual issues, or mitigating factors. These can be used to negotiate for reduced charges or even an outright dismissal.
An experienced criminal defense attorney will investigate your case to mount the strongest possible defense or present the best mitigation. This will increase the likelihood of charges being dismissed or reduced.
How can your attorney get your case dismissed or reduced?
An experienced criminal defense attorney will seek a prosecutorial dismissal or reduction by way of negotiation and litigation.
For example, a suppression motion may be appropriate, and if granted, will result in the prosecutor being forced to dismiss the case. This is if there no evidence to prosecute the case. Further, a prosecutor can reduce some felonies to misdemeanors by way of a PC 17(b) motion.
Additionally, depending on the offense and the Defendant’s prior history, an aggressive attorney may be able to seek prosecutorial diversion. This is whereby a defendant has the opportunity to earn a dismissal.
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, it is important to hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Once an arrest is made, a prosecutor still has to decide whether or not to file a case, so the earlier you can get your lawyer involved, the better your chances are of getting a criminal charge dismissed, reduced, or not filed at all.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
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