Criminal Law Knowledge Center
Welcome to Marc Hart's criminal defense library. We've gathered helpful information and organized it just for you. Click on the article that interests you, and we'll take you to a page written by us on that topic. If you have more questions about your specific case, please contact us to schedule an appointment. We'll continue to build this resource in the months ahead by linking to informative and insightful content about criminal law and its practice, so be sure to come back again soon!
Articles
Arrested and Charged with a Crime? Here's What to Do.
Don't Talk to the Police Without Your Attorney
When you're arrested, the police don't need to follow the same rules as you. They can lie, try to intimidate you, and treat you unfairly. They may manipulate you and try to convince you that talking to them will only benefit you in the long run. If you ask for a lawyer they may say that only guilty people ask for an attorney. This is not true. The first thing you should do is tell them you're not answering questions and that you want an attorney.
Stay Off Social Media
Facebook is not your friend when you post information about legal trouble. Keep your story to yourself because anything you say can be used by the prosecution team to make their case against you. Ask your lawyer who you can talk to when you need to vent or to find help with resources.
No Plea Deal (Unless Your Lawyer Approves)
A plea bargain may sound tempting, but do not agree to anything until you discuss it with your attorney. Prosecutors can make deals complex and if you don't understand all the finer points, you could end up with long term consequences you didn't anticipate. Only an experienced criminal defense attorney can evaluate a plea agreement and make sure it's fair.
Lay Low
Your emotions may be high and you might feel like lashing out, but our advice is to keep your cool, go about your business and don't draw attention to yourself. Whether you're in custody or get out on bail, it's best if you can avoid behavior that could negatively affect your case.
Hire a private attorney, not a public defenderPublic defenders are attorneys who are provided by the court to a defendant at no charge. As with other free services, the providers are under paid, over worked, and have huge case loads that prevent them from providing each client the time and attention they deserve. These challenges lead to ineffective legal defense and can end up costing you more than money in the end.
Hiring a private criminal defense attorney will ensure your case receives the best possible planning and strategies for a better outcome. Your attorney can ensure the process moves along timely, negotiate a reasonable bail, discuss how to plead, negotiate on your behalf, investigate and collect evidence, and if necessary, face off against the prosecution in court. When your freedom, reputation and livelihood are on the line, you need a private criminal defense attorney.
When you're arrested, the police don't need to follow the same rules as you. They can lie, try to intimidate you, and treat you unfairly. They may manipulate you and try to convince you that talking to them will only benefit you in the long run. If you ask for a lawyer they may say that only guilty people ask for an attorney. This is not true. The first thing you should do is tell them you're not answering questions and that you want an attorney.
Stay Off Social Media
Facebook is not your friend when you post information about legal trouble. Keep your story to yourself because anything you say can be used by the prosecution team to make their case against you. Ask your lawyer who you can talk to when you need to vent or to find help with resources.
No Plea Deal (Unless Your Lawyer Approves)
A plea bargain may sound tempting, but do not agree to anything until you discuss it with your attorney. Prosecutors can make deals complex and if you don't understand all the finer points, you could end up with long term consequences you didn't anticipate. Only an experienced criminal defense attorney can evaluate a plea agreement and make sure it's fair.
Lay Low
Your emotions may be high and you might feel like lashing out, but our advice is to keep your cool, go about your business and don't draw attention to yourself. Whether you're in custody or get out on bail, it's best if you can avoid behavior that could negatively affect your case.
Hire a private attorney, not a public defenderPublic defenders are attorneys who are provided by the court to a defendant at no charge. As with other free services, the providers are under paid, over worked, and have huge case loads that prevent them from providing each client the time and attention they deserve. These challenges lead to ineffective legal defense and can end up costing you more than money in the end.
Hiring a private criminal defense attorney will ensure your case receives the best possible planning and strategies for a better outcome. Your attorney can ensure the process moves along timely, negotiate a reasonable bail, discuss how to plead, negotiate on your behalf, investigate and collect evidence, and if necessary, face off against the prosecution in court. When your freedom, reputation and livelihood are on the line, you need a private criminal defense attorney.
Disclaimer: The information in these articles is not meant to replace the advice of your attorney. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. If you've been charged with a crime in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne or Washtenaw counties, we can help you with your case.