Do You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

Have you been charged with a minor criminal offense, such as trespassing, offensive conduct or property damage? You may be wondering if it’s really necessary to hire a criminal defense lawyer for such a crime, but these common crimes are actually the some of the most frequent reasons for seeking legal counsel.

In the U.S., there are literally tens of thousands of laws, many of which are designed to regulate society and protect people from harm or injustice. If you watch too many crime dramas, it’s easy to believe that the only people who hire criminal defense lawyers are being charged with theft or murder, but that isn’t a realistic picture of the legal community. One reason so many law students choose criminal law is because they know how many court cases revolve around individuals who are charged with breaking a particular law. This keeps the best criminal defense lawyers quite busy as they work to produce favorable verdicts for their clients.

What are some of the most common reasons why people hire a criminal defense lawyer?

• Trespassing is probably one of the most commonly broken laws in the United States, most likely due to the fact that private property is everywhere. But most of the criminal trespassing charges come about after the property owner asks the violator to leave their property and yet they refuse to do so. Trespassing may also be a secondary charge in a theft or property damage case. Trespassing fines can be as much as $1,000.
• Obstruction may sound more like blocking a pedestrian or vehicle from moving freely in a public space, and while this may be the case, this charge is more likely about obstructing justice. This common charge refers to an individual who is interfering with a police investigation in some way, such as preventing officers from arriving at a crime scene.
• Assault charges can be filed against people who either physically or verbally assault another individual. A criminal defense lawyer is more frequently involved in a physical assault case, particularly when the crime results in the injury of another person, but you can receive this charge anytime you exhibit unnecessarily violent or aggressive behavior.

A criminal record will follow you for the rest of your life, and could impact your ability to get a job or certain licenses. Anytime you are involved in a criminal case, even if it is for a relatively minor offense, it makes sense to hire a criminal defense lawyer. Looking for a Colorado Springs criminal defense lawyer? Contact the law firm of Clawson & Clawson, LLP for a free consultation.