After an arrest, a person will want to hire a Criminal Lawyer in Grand Forks, ND to try to avoid a conviction. While it’s possible in some cases, there are many cases where the person is going to be convicted of the crime they’re accused of. Once they have been convicted or have pled guilty, they will want to be concerned about their sentencing. This is usually separate from the conviction, and there is still more a lawyer can do to help them.
Most crimes include sentencing guidelines the judge typically follows, although they can raise or lower the sentence they give based on extenuating circumstances in some cases. These sentencing guidelines include minimums and maximums for jail time, fines, and other penalties. For a felony, for example, the minimum could be one year in jail where the maximum is 10 years in jail.
A lawyer is going to work to help their client obtain the minimum sentence. They will try to convince the judge that even though their client is guilty, they are remorseful and are willing to complete the minimum sentence and learn from the experience. The lawyer may also try to convince the judge that a diversion program might be better than jail time if the conviction is related to drug or alcohol abuse. While there is always the chance they will receive the maximum sentence despite arguments by their lawyer, there is also a high chance the judge will be lenient and will not give them the maximum sentences for their crime.
Determining what sentence a person will receive can be difficult as there are often many variables. However, there are basic guidelines judges typically follow to determine the sentence after a conviction. A person who has been arrested and then convicted can continue to work with a criminal lawyer in Grand Forks, ND to try to obtain the minimum sentence for the crime they’re convicted of. To learn more or to contact a lawyer now to try to avoid a conviction for your case, contact the Morrow Law Firm right away. They’re ready to help you deal with your arrest and will work hard to dismiss your charges or help you obtain the minimum sentence if you’re convicted.
