Expert Advice When You Need It Most

How to Determine Whether You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Written by: Thomas C Gallagher

Reputation Level 15

Criminal Defense

Posted over 3 years ago. Applies to Minnesota, 10 helpful votes, 0 comments

Save

Share with:

The Value of Keeping Your Clean Criminal Record Clean

With no criminal record, your future employers won't be put off by a conviction. Occupational licenses may become unavailable, should you get convicted of a crime. Certain convictions can also result in: loss of civil rights, such as voting and firearms rights; deportation from the U.S.; loss of student aid; offender registration, and other negative consequences. For many, the largest, quantifiable impact will be to future income. How can a criminal conviction affect you and your family's future income? If you assume a person is age 25 and will work until 65, that is 40 years. Multiply 40 years times a conservative $10,000 reduction in annual income due to a conviction. That is $400,000. At 8% interest per year, that would be over one million dollars in lost income by age 65. I have had clients suffer a $40,000 per year reducation in income while an expungement proceeding was pending in court, so the real number could be in the millions, depending upon career path.

Whether Jail or Prison Time Is Likely

If you are charged with a serious crime, often there may be a threat of jail or even prison time. Even for relatively minor crimes, jail or prison can be a real threat, when a person has prior convictions. Generally the maximum possible jail or prison term under the criminal statute is rarely executed. In felony cases, the Minnesota or Federal Sentencing Guidelines will provide a "presumptive sentence" after a formula is calculated. Though there can be upward or downward departures from the presumptive sentence, it is useful to look at the presumptive sentence. There are also "mandatory minimum" sentences in Minnesota and United States Statutes which can be quite severe, and lengthier than the presumptive guidelines sentence. The best thing to do here is consult a criminal defense lawyer to discuss these factors. In non-felony, misdemeanor cases, up to one year in jail can be possible in Minnesota cases.

If It Is Important to You, It’s Worth Getting the Best Lawyer You Can to Help

There are many reasons it is valuable to prevent a criminal charge, to prevent a criminal conviction, and to prevent a criminal sentence in Minnesota. The simple rule is, if it is important, it is important to have a good lawyer's help in protecting it. You and your family are worth a lot. A good criminal defense lawyer can help protect your future, and your future income earning potential. Protect your good name while you can. Minneapolis Criminal Lawyer Thomas Gallagher can answer your questions. Call 612-333-1500.