If you have had legal charges brought against you, it can be an overwhelming experience. One action you can take to help yourself is to hire a criminal defense lawyer. These professionals will be knowledgeable about criminal charges and advise you on how to proceed as you navigate your legal experience. They will stand by you throughout your case. It may help you to review a few terms about various outcomes you may experience.
According to FindLaw, some common felony charges you could be charged with include robbery, assault, sex offenses, and homicide. If you are found guilty of any of those charges, the penalties will vary. For example, if you are guilty of DUI or felony drug possession, you are likely to be punished with a fine. More serious crimes, such as aggravated assault and homicide, will lead to you serving jail time.
By working with an experienced criminal attorney, you will be supported every step of the way. Your attorney will know all the ins and outs of the charges brought against you. They may be able to suggest strategies to result in a lighter sentence, should you be convicted. Their information and support will be invaluable to you during this difficult time.
There are 1,268,011 lawyers in the United States, including criminal lawyers, appeals lawyers, DUI lawyers, robbery defense lawyers, and more. If you are not employed in the legal field, you might find that legal lingo can be hard to decipher. Here are some quick explanations in simpler terms.
What is a civil case?
A civil case is brought to court when a person or organization called the plaintiff accuses the defendent (another person or organization) of failing to complete a legal duty. The plaintiff is expecting the court to make the defendent carry out the duty, or the plaintiff is asking for compensation.
For example, an individual rents an apartment from a landlord. They have a legal agreement requiring the renter to pay the landlord every month. If the renter fails to pay, this is considered a breach of contract, and the landlord can file a civil suit against him.
Another kind of civil case involves personal injury. An example would be a customer at a restaurant who has told her server about her seafood allergy, but is then served an appetizer containing shrimp without warning. The customer can file a civil suit against the server or restaurant for negligence. the average compensation payout for injury lawsuits is $60,000.
What is criminal law?
While civil law involves private disputes between two parties, criminal law cases involve the prosecution of an individual or organization for breaking a local, state, or federal law by which he is somehow threatening public welfare or safety. Rather than another individual, in this case the government files charges against the accused.
There are a vast number of criminal acts that warrant a law suit by the government. They are categorized as either misdemeanor or felony, and can be violent, but they aren’t always. These cases are handled by federal criminal attorneys.
Felonies include:
- Assault
- Burglary and Robbery
- Violent crime (murder, rape, aggravated assult)
- Vandalism
- Fraud
- Weapons violations
- Motor vehicle theft
- Disorderly conduct
Misdemeanors include:
- Resisting arrest
- Perjury
- Violating a restraining order
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Traffic violations
- Petty theft
A DUI lawyer is also considered a criminal lawyer, as a DUI can be either categorized as a misdemeanor or a felony.
Civil lawsuits cost the United States economy approximately $239 billion every year, and the average U.S. citizen $812 annually.
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