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FAQ - Answers to important questions
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What type of sentence may the defendant expect to receive? There are a myriad of sentencing options for the judge to consider. Sentencing is based on the nature of the case, the defendant's past history, and the defendant's threat to the community. Some sentencing options include jail time, probation, fine, community service, treatment or imprisonment in a penitentiary. Why should the defendant plead guilty? Sometimes the best result is a guilty plea. By avoiding a possible court trial, the defendant may plead to a lesser charge and therefore avoid a potential stiffer penalty. Most judges will offer a lighter sentence in exchange for a guilty plea at the arraignment. In addition, a guilty plea speeds the process forward and eliminates a long, drawn out trial process. Will people know the defendant has a conviction on his record? A conviction is public record and may be reviewed by the general public. The ability to expunge a conviction varies from state to state depending on the nature of the crime. How long does a misdemeanor trial take? A misdemeanor trial may take anywhere from one day to two weeks. How long does a felony trial take? A felony trial takes anywhere from one day to several months. Most take a few days to conclude. Is a misdemeanor conviction public record? Yes. How long does a felony case take? The length of a felony case depends on the nature of the case. Generally, felony cases take between two months and one year to complete. Is a felony conviction public record? Yes. Do I have to talk to the judge or jury? No. The defendant has a Constitutional right to remain silent. Whether to put the defendant on the witness stand is a decision the defendant and his attorney must make. Defense attorneys agree that it is sometimes better to keep the defendant off the witness stand, except in special cases. Once the defendant testifies, he opens himself to cross-examination by the prosecution. Because of this Constitutional right, the judge will instruct the jury that the defendant's failure to testify must not be considered in any way a sign that the defendant is guilty. Of course, if a defendant is entering a plea or accepting a plea bargain, he must answer the judge's basic questions with regard to his understanding of these actions. Why do I keep seeing different attorneys and judges? It is important that the defendant be comfortable with his legal team. A defendant may have one attorney or several, as each may be a specialist in a different area of law pertaining to the case. Prosecuting attorneys may work in teams as well. The defendant may appear before several judges throughout the process. Is the police officer coming to court? The police officer is a member of the prosecution's team. He will come to court only if the prosecutor wants him to do so. The police officers and the prosecutors work together to present a case against the defendant. In some cases, if the police officer fails to show in court, the case may end in a dismissal. When do I bring witnesses to court? Witnesses may be key allies to the defense. The defense attorney is responsible for gauging the proper time to introduce witnesses in court. Witnesses usually first appear during trial. What rights do I have at the time of arrest? The Miranda Rights for each citizen and non citizen are guaranteed by the United States Constitution. They are required to be issued by police at the time of arrest. If your rights are not read, your lawyer may ask that any statements made to the police not be used against you in court. These rights include the right to remain silent, the right to a lawyer present while you are questioned, and the right to an appointed lawyer if you cannot afford one. When do I tell my story? The defendant's story is a critical piece of information that helps the judge and jury decide a case. The defendant presents his story to his attorney. After that, the attorney will tell the defendant's story. It is critical to remember that what the defendant says may be used against him. What the defense attorney says will not be used against the defendant. Of course the trial is the primary period of time where the defendant has the opportunity to present his story. Can I be questioned once my rights are read to me? Yes. However, you can change your mind at anytime. What if I don't show up? Can my attorney represent me? The defendant's attorney may represent his client at different stages of the criminal process. The defendant must check with his attorney for when the defendant must appear. If the defendant cannot appear, the defendant must contact his attorney or the courtroom clerk immediately. What is the difference between federal and state laws? Federal laws supersede state laws when the two come into play against one another. How can I withdraw my plea? The defendant may withdraw a plea by bringing a motion to withdraw a plea. A written motion has to be filed. In some jurisdictions the attorney prepares a written motion. In others, a court clerk will provide a form. In either case, the written document must be filed and a hearing for the request takes place. May I represent myself without the benefit of an attorney? Any defendant can represent himself without the benefit of an attorney, however, most jurisdictions require an attorney to serve as an advisor for defendants in cases where prison time is an issue. When can a police officer conduct a search? As long as you provide consent an officer can make a search. Or, the officer can make a search upon presentation of a search warrant. How can I get bail reduced? Bail is determined by the seriousness of the defense. Bail is not mandatory. The judge has the right to refuse to issue bail. The defense attorney may bring a motion to reduce bail during any proceeding in front of the court. The judge will look at factors such as family history, background, professional responsibilities, past criminal history, and circumstances surrounding the case. What if I don't like my court appointed attorney? A request for a new appointed attorney is rarely granted. The defendant's rights are limited to the appointment of an attorney and not to the attorney of their choice. The defendant does have the choice to hire a private attorney if he or she chooses to. What if I think the judge or prosecutor is biased? The defense attorney may ask the judge to recuse himself (withdraw from the case) or he may file a motion with the court. In some states it is the automatic right of the defendant to recuse a judge on the basis the defendant believes the judge to be biased. Do juvenile records matter? Definitely. Juvenile records are taken into account for sentencing as an adult. Plus, many offenses where a person was a juvenile may be used in trials as an adult under the prior acts rule of evidence. HOW WE CAN HELP
How We Can Help You We will help protect your rights!
We Can Help!
We Fight!
We Negotiate
Why Hire Us?
ARRESTED? WHAT NEXT? When investigating your case, we direct any outside investigators to use state of the art databases and equipment to uncover critical information and evidence to defend our clients. Some of the techniques commonly used in criminal defense cases include: Crime Scene Investigations
Pre-File Investigations
The investigators use all appropriate means to obtain the evidence or statements needed to get the results you deserve! FIGHT YOUR CASE BEFORE IT GOES TO COURT Guster Law Firm, LLC knows the importance of fighting a criminal complaint before charges are filed and the case goes to court. We have negotiated to have cases halted before formal charges were filed. These cases range from theft cases to murder cases.
Guster Law Firm is an aggressive law firm in Birmingham, Alabama. Eric Guster of Guster Law Firm represents clients in We work in all courts throughout the State of Alabama. We concentrate our criminal practice in Jefferson County but we travel to other counties to represent people in need. We regularly appear before the following judges: Judge Alfred Bahakel, Judge Gloria Bahakel, Judge William Cole, Judge Eric Fancher, Judge Clyde Jones, Judge Davis Lawley, Judge David Lichtenstein, Judge Tommy Nail, Judge Mac Parsons, Judge Teresa Petelos, Judge Laura Petro, Judge Teresa Pulliam, Judge Katrina Ross, Judge Virginia Vinson, and Judge Shelly Watkins The above is not legal advice. That can only come from a qualified attorney who is familiar with all the facts and circumstances of a particular, specific case and the relevant law. See Terms of Use. |
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