Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’ve been arrested or are currently facing a criminal matter of any kind, you probably have a lot of questions. You may wonder what legal rights you have and whether you should consider involving an attorney at this point. Fortunately, an Orange County criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Fred Thiagarajah can meet with you to conduct a free case evaluation. At this time, we will be happy to answer your questions, but we have also included some frequently asked questions (FAQs) for your review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I’m arrested? If you are arrested or taken into custody by law enforcement, the most important thing to do is to remain silent and request to speak with an attorney. After you are arrested, these are the two most important actions to take, as everything that you say or do may be used against you in court at a later date. Having a criminal defense lawyer at your side may be your only chance of ensuring your rights are protected after an arrest.

How can a criminal attorney help me? An experienced criminal attorney can help you in a number of ways, from the onset of any investigation, arrest, or criminal charges. An attorney can represent you during police questioning to ensure you do not unintentionally incriminate yourself, help to secure your speedy release from jail, negotiate with the prosecution to have your charges lessened or dropped, and represent your interests through any and all court proceedings against you.

What is a prosecutor? In criminal cases, the prosecutor is an attorney that works for the government and who brings criminal charges against you. This person is most often referred to as a District Attorney and will be responsible for filing formal charges and then building a case against you in an attempt to secure a conviction for whatever crime you have been accused of committing.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony? All criminal offenses are categorized according to the severity of penalties that may be imposed upon a conviction. A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by up to 12 months in county jail, and a felony is a crime punishable by a minimum of 1 year in state prison. The maximum penalty for a felony in California is the death penalty, although this usually applies only in extreme cases.

What is a “strike” and how does this affect criminal penalties? In California, particular criminal offenses which are classified as “serious” or “violent” felonies will count as a “strike” on a defendant’s criminal record. If a defendant receives a second strike, he or she will face double the normal penalties for the offense. A third strike will result in 25 years to life in prison.

Make sure you waste no time in contacting our offices if you are faced with criminal charges or a legal matter of any kind. Contact an Orange County criminal defense attorney today for a free consultation.