Facing criminal charges is serious. Whether you've been accused of a misdemeanor or a felony, the allegations alone can ruin your reputation and adversely impact you and your family. If you are convicted of the alleged offense, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. For instance, assault, when charged as a Class A misdemeanor, is punishable by a maximum of 11 months, 29 days in jail, and a fine of up to $15,000. A guilty judgment will also stay on your criminal record, which can impact final decisions of employers, landlords, colleges and universities, and others. To work toward avoiding such consequences, it's crucial to have legal representation throughout your case.

At every step in the justice process, you have rights that must not be violated and must be protected.

• The right to remain silent: You do not have to answer law enforcement officials' questions without a lawyer present. This right applies even before you've been arrested, but officers aren't required to inform you of it until after they've taken you into custody. It's crucial that you exercise this right to prevent yourself from providing statements that may be misconstrued and used against you. Additionally, if law enforcement officers never told you of this right after your arrest, that could be grounds for having evidence dismissed from your case.
  
  
• The right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures: Law enforcement officers need justifiable reasons or a warrant to search your person or property or arrest you. If this right has been violated, any evidence obtained may be inadmissible, which may weaken the State's case against you.
  
  
• The right to effective assistance of counsel: You can have a lawyer on your side throughout your case. A competent attorney can ensure you receive a fair trial and can seek a just outcome on your behalf. Because the judicial process can be complex, with many laws and rules you must follow, it's crucial that you exercise this right.

I am ready to provide the legal representation you need. Working to ensure your rights were and continue to be protected, I will examine every detail of your case to identify discrepancies and raise those in your defense.

In a criminal case, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the alleged offense. They must do this by providing facts that support their assertions. You might feel that because the prosecutor handling your case has evidence against you that all hope is lost. But that's not necessarily true.

I know that evidence isn't always strong enough to remove doubt from the minds of judges and/or juries, and a knowledgeable defense attorney can spot holes in the prosecutor's arguments. By thoroughly preparing for your case even before the first court date, I can develop a defense strategy tailored for you.