United We Stand Flag with a shade of blueUnited We Stand Flag with a shade of blue

Why is important to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible?

It’s important to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible after you’ve been charged with a crime because an attorney can:

  • Help you avoid self-incrimination and other mistakes
  • Preserve key evidence at a crucial time
  • Potentially avoid or reduce your charges
  • Support you with bail and release matters
  • Offer a strong legal defense early
  • Provide guidance through a complex and confusing process

Our criminal defense attorneys would like to explore these points in more detail, and also mention the consequences of not hiring a lawyer promptly after you’ve been charged.

If you need a defense lawyer right away, we’re here for you. To get in touch with Mashni Law, PLLC, contact our Lexington law office online. You can also reach us by phone at (859) 201-3550.

 

Avoid Self-incrimination and Other Mistakes at the Outset

Police and crime investigators may ask you questions following an arrest. If you have a lawyer present, your attorney can help you avoid potential self-incrimination and other mistakes that could weaken your case. In fact, you may want to exercise your right to remain silent until you have obtained a defense attorney.

 

Evidence Preservation at a Crucial Time

By hiring a defense lawyer as soon as possible, you can have someone on your side who will gather essential evidence in your case. That includes video footage, physical evidence, testimony from witnesses at the scene of the alleged incident, and testimony from witnesses who can account for your whereabouts during the alleged incident.

 

Potentially Avoid or Reduce Your Charges

Your defense lawyer may be able to discuss what happened with a prosecutor and investigators in the early stages of a case. In some situations, defense attorneys can get charges reduced by advocating for you. Though rare, it’s also possible for a defense lawyer to prevent charges from even being filed against you if you act quickly.

 

Support with Bail and Release Matters

Following an arrest, a defense lawyer can help advocate for lower bail and possibly even argue for you to be released. This allows you to return to your daily life as your case moves forward sooner rather than later.

 

Strong Legal Defense Is in Place Early

Crafting a good defense strategy can take time. By contacting a lawyer as soon as you can, your attorney can start creating a solid strategy based on evidence and your situation. Your defense lawyer can discuss possible weaknesses in the case against you and how to best proceed as the case unfolds.

 

Sound Guidance Through a Complex and Confusing Process

Kentucky’s criminal justice system is extremely complicated and can be intimidating if you are not sure what to expect. By having a defense lawyer on your side early in a case, you can get solid answers to any questions you may have. Simply knowing the procedure and what to expect can provide peace of mind during an extremely stressful time.

 

What Happens If You Wait to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

If you get charged with a crime and wait to hire a lawyer, you may face the following challenges.

  • You Risk Harming Your Own Case: Attorneys can advise you on what to say and what not to say to avoid self-incrimination or undermining your defense. Without a lawyer, you may unintentionally say something that calls your story into question or could lead to harsher penalties against you.
  • Critical Evidence May Not Be Collected: Defense lawyers will use their resources to find evidence that supports your side of the story. If you wait to hire a lawyer, video footage could be erased, physical evidence could disappear or degrade, and crucial witnesses may go unquestioned or have a lapse in their memory.
  • The Danger of Missing Deadlines and Other Errors: The criminal justice system has strict deadlines when it comes to motions, filings, and responses. Defense attorneys can keep your case moving in accordance with these timelines. Without a defense lawyer, you may unintentionally waive certain rights and protections. 
  • Increased Stress, Confusion, and Uncertainty: You can look up Kentucky legal procedures and laws online or using chatbots, but it takes an attorney to provide context in terms you can understand. Without a lawyer, you may wind up more confused about your rights and what to do next.

Don’t take chances when your life and your future are on the line. If you’re facing misdemeanor or felony charges in Kentucky, you need Mashni Law, PLLC in your corner and ready to fight.

 

Why You Need Mashni Law, PLLC on Your Side

If you are up against the state of Kentucky, you need a strong and knowledgeable defense attorney who will advocate for you. Abe Mashni and his team bring years of legal experience to every case as well as a dedication to absolute fairness in criminal law.

 

We View You as a Person, Not a Criminal

At Mashni Law, PLLC, we will never pre-judge you, regardless of the accusations against you. You are a person, not a criminal or a collection of charges. This is our way of making sure the justice system functions as intended and that people’s rights are upheld, no matter what.

 

We’re Committed to Serving the People of Kentucky

While we cannot guarantee a particular outcome in your criminal case, the team at Mashni Law, PLLC ensures every client receives our full attention and focus. Based in Lexington, our law firm represents people in all neighboring counties and communities.

 

We’re Available to Clients at All Times

You could be arrested and charged with a crime at any time of the day. Mashni Law, PLLC is here to take your call and return it as soon as we can. We provide our contact information to clients and are accessible whenever needed. When questions or concerns arise, our defense attorneys will provide answers and offer context.

 

We’ll Give You the Good News and the Bad News

When you’ve been charged with a crime, you deserve straight answers. At Mashni Law, PLLC, our team will always be honest with you. You deserve to hear good news and bad news. We will deliver that information to you promptly and offer any additional insight that we can.

 

Types of Criminal Defense Cases Mashni Law, PLLC Can Handle

Mashni Law, PLLC can represent people all over Kentucky in various misdemeanor and felony charges, including:

  • Arson: Arson is starting a fire or causing an explosion in a building. There are three degrees of arson in Kentucky.
  • Assault: Assault is defined as intentionally causing physical harm to another person. This can range from a heated confrontation that got out of hand to instances of self-defense that are misunderstood by law enforcement.
  • Attempt to Commit a Crime: Attempt is a crime separate from the crime which a defendant was trying to commit. It is what is known as an inchoate crime, or a crime that was not completed.
  • Burglary: Burglary is defined as unlawfully entering a building with the intent to commit a crime inside.
  • Disorderly Conduct: Disorderly conduct encompasses a range of behaviors deemed to disrupt peace and order, such as causing public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, and engaging in fighting or in noisy conduct in public places.
  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Whether alcohol or drugs are involved, Kentucky’s DUI laws are stringent, with penalties escalating with subsequent offenses, including mandatory jail time, hefty fines, and the possibility of losing your driver’s license. 
  • Drug Offenses: Drug offenses can range from possession of a small amount of a controlled substance to trafficking large quantities. The repercussions of drug charges can be devastating.
  • EPO. DVO, IPO Offenses: This refers to the violation of Emergency Protective Orders (EPO), Domestic Violence Orders (DVO), and Interpersonal Protection Orders (IPO).
  • Federal Crimes: Federal offenses are prosecuted with the full force of the United States Government’s resources, including the FBI, DEA, and other agencies.
  • Homicide: Reckless homicide occurs when a person recklessly causes the death of another person. Vehicular homicide occurs when a person causes the death of another person by operating a motor vehicle.
  • Indecent Exposure: Indecent exposure is considered a serious criminal offense, and being found guilty can result in penalties that may include fines, imprisonment, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
  • Juvenile Crimes: Juvenile charges affect the immediate legal standing of a young person and can also have profound implications for their future.
  • Manslaughter: A person has committed manslaughter when they cause the death of another person but did not possess the intent to kill, instead possessing the intent to cause serious physical injury.
  • Murder: Murder occurs when the defendant intended to kill another person, and that person is actually killed. It is also murder to operate a motor vehicle under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life.
  • Rape: Rape charges carry profound legal consequences and personal ramifications, casting a long shadow over an individual’s life, affecting relationships, employment opportunities, and overall societal perception.
  • Sexual Misconduct and Other Offenses: We understand that facing allegations of a sex crime can be overwhelming and carries with it a stigma that can devastate reputations, relationships, and future prospects.
  • Sodomy: The law surrounding sodomy charges is complex, and the accusations can carry not only severe legal consequences but also tremendous personal and social stigma.
  • Traffic-Related Offenses: Traffic offenses range from speeding tickets to more serious charges like DUI or vehicular manslaughter, each carrying its own set of potential consequences.
  • Weapons Charges: Weapons charges may include illegal possession or using a weapon in the commission of a crime. These come with the potential for substantial legal consequences, including imprisonment and fines.

 

Request a Consultation with a Skilled Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime, you need our lawyers on your side right away. We’re ready to listen and fight for you. To request a consultation, contact our Lexington defense law firm today. You can also reach Mashni Law, PLLC by phone at (859) 201-3550.