Being charged with a crime in Shelbyville can be a stressful experience. A Kentucky criminal defense lawyer from Berkley Oliver can assist you in making sense of your options and mounting a solid response to charges.
Even minor traffic matters can lead to fines and suspension of your license. More serious crimes can lead to long periods of incarceration. Fortunately, a criminal defense lawyer can help you mitigate the chance of suffering these severe consequences.
If you are facing any type of criminal charge in Kentucky, Berkley Oliver’s criminal defense team can promptly review your case and guide your next steps. The longer you wait to address your charges, the fewer options you might have for resolving them. Contact Berkley Oliver today.
Why You Deserve a Competent Criminal Defense Lawyer
Suppose that you believe that the case against you is airtight. Or suppose that you gave an interview with police and almost confessed to committing a crime. You might be tempted to accept any offer the prosecution is willing to give you to resolve your matter quickly.
Doing so, however, can affect your life and the lives of your loved ones in significant and unanticipated ways. For example, a criminal conviction could:
- Lead to your incarceration, taking you away from your partner and children
- Cause financial sanctions that deprive your family of the support you provide
- Result in the revocation of your professional license, leading to a decrease in your income
- Cause you to lose your job due to incarceration or unemployability
For these reasons alone, it is important to avoid resolving your criminal case without first speaking to an attorney about your options. As a person charged with a crime, you have rights, and a lawyer from Berkley Oliver can help you assert them in your case.
You Have Rights When You Are Charged With a Crime
You have both constitutional and statutory rights if you are charged with a crime. These rights include:
The Right to Remain Silent
You do not have to answer any questions that law enforcement asks you that could implicate you in a crime. You also have the right to have an experienced and trusted Shelbyville criminal defense lawyer by your side if the police want to interrogate you.
Your silence cannot be used in any criminal proceeding to suggest you are guilty of any crime.
The Right to Cross-Examine Accusers
You have the right to have your accusers appear in open court and testify against you. You also have the right to challenge their credibility and motives for testifying against you through cross-examination.
An effective cross-examination conducted by an experienced criminal defense lawyer can create doubt about your guilt for the crimes you are charged with.
The Presumption of Innocence
Even if you have confessed to a crime, you have the right to have the government prove your guilt to a judge or jury beyond a reasonable doubt. If the government fails to meet this burden, you cannot be found guilty, and you cannot be sentenced to prison or fined.
It is the government’s job to prove you are guilty, and you do not have to prove you are innocent. You can protect these and other critical rights that you have by turning to Berkley Oliver for legal support.
Types of Crimes Berkley Oliver Can Assist With
At Berkley Oliver, a trained and skilled criminal defense lawyer from our firm can help you respond to a variety of criminal charges, including:
- Assault
- Homicide and manslaughter
- Drug crimes
- Driving under the influence
- Felony offenses
- Misdemeanor and traffic crimes
No matter how severe the crime is, you should call Berkley Oliver and ask to speak with a Shelbyville criminal defense lawyer from our team about your options.
In each case, your lawyer will:
- Review police reports and other evidence compiled against you
- Conduct an independent investigation to determine the strength of the prosecution’s case against you
- Locate potential witnesses or evidence that could exonerate you or reduce your culpability
- Challenge the admissibility of the prosecution’s evidence against you
- Assist in fighting back against administrative sanctions and license suspensions
- Be present with you in court at every stage of your case
If the prosecution offers you a plea agreement, you can trust that your Berkley Oliver lawyer will fight hard to negotiate a favorable plea for you. We can advise you on whether a plea agreement is in your best interests after listening to and understanding your goals.
Contact a Shelbyville Criminal Defense Attorney From Berkley Oliver Today
You may feel you have no options when you are charged with a crime in Kentucky. However, with a criminal defense lawyer from the Shelbyville firm of Berkley Oliver on your side, you can rest assured that your rights will be protected and that we will fight for you, your family, and your future.
Call Berkley Oliver to discuss your charges and get started on your defense today.