Criminal charges can upend your life, impacting your work, schooling, and family. If you do not manage the situation well, the consequences could affect you long into the future. Working with an attorney is crucial to maximizing your chances of a favorable outcome.

A Norwich criminal defense lawyer at Ruane Attorneys can protect your rights and help preserve your prospects. We represent people like you facing criminal charges of all kinds.

Asserting Your Rights after an Arrest

The US Constitution grants everyone certain rights, but law enforcement does not always respect them. Officers sometimes use their authority to intimidate defendants. For example, officers might try to get suspects to make incriminating statements by misleading them. They might claim to have evidence they do not have, hoping to get a suspect to confess.

When a person is arrested, they have the right to refuse to answer questions. Anyone in custody should assert their right to remain silent until they have legal counsel. A criminal attorney at our firm can help those arrested in Norwich protect their rights and avoid self-incrimination.

Reviewing and Challenging Evidence in Criminal Cases

When the police arrest a suspect or a prosecutor brings charges, they must have evidence to support the arrest or charge. However, the evidence is not always sufficient to justify their actions. Sometimes, law enforcement finds evidence illegally.

Our Norwich criminal justice attorneys could review the prosecution’s evidence and how they obtained it. If they used improper means, such as an overbroad search warrant, an illegal traffic stop, or an unreliable informant, a lawyer could bring a motion in court to suppress the evidence. If the judge finds that the police used improper procedures, all the evidence obtained through the flawed procedure is unusable. A prosecutor might have to dismiss the charges due to insufficient evidence.

Even if the police procedures were sound, every crime has specific elements a prosecutor must prove to obtain a conviction. If the evidence demonstrating one or more elements is weak, Ruane Attorneys could negotiate with prosecutors to reduce or dismiss the charge. Prosecutors have full dockets and might consider dropping a charge if they know their evidence for an element of the crime is not convincing.

Working Toward a Favorable Result in Norwich Criminal Cases

The role of a defense attorney is to seek the best possible result for the accused person. In many cases, legal counsel could get charges dismissed or reduced. Sometimes, the best course of action is to go to trial and force a prosecutor to prove their case. In other situations, a negotiated settlement or plea agreement is advisable.

Depending on the charges, a defendant might agree to probation or community service rather than face jail time. Alternatively, they may plead guilty to a lesser offense rather than face the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence. The lawyers at our firm are prepared to evaluate a criminal case and build a tailored strategy for the charges.

Accelerated Rehabilitation

Connecticut General Statutes § 54-56e(b) authorizes a form of pretrial diversion called accelerated rehabilitation (AR). AR programs are available to help people with drug and alcohol problems, mental health conditions, anger management, and other issues. A person agrees to participate in a specific rehabilitation program, and the prosecutor agrees to drop charges if they complete the AR program.

When substance dependency or psychological issues lead to an encounter with law enforcement, enrollment in AR could help the defendant deal with the issue and avoid arrest in the future. AR is potentially available for those who:

• Have no criminal convictions
• Are unlikely to commit another offense
• Have not previously participated in AR

Our criminal attorneys in Norwich could convince a prosecutor that AR is reasonable in a specific case and help a defendant prepare for the required application process and background check.

Other Pretrial Diversion Programs

AR is not available to people facing certain charges. Additionally, many people are not eligible for AR because they have prior criminal convictions. However, even when AR is not an option, a diversion program that focuses on education and treatment could be available. For example, people accused of certain domestic violence crimes are not eligible for AR but could participate in a pretrial family violence education program.

Trust a Norwich Attorney to Handle Your Criminal Case

Criminal charges are always serious, regardless of whether you face misdemeanor or felony allegations. The effects of a conviction could plague you for the rest of your life.

The Norwich criminal defense lawyers at our firm understand the local court systems and could work diligently to protect your rights, freedom, and future. Call to schedule a consultation with Ruane Attorneys today.