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Having your day in court

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Having your day in court

Top Reasons to Retain a Criminal Lawyer After Sentencing

by Beverley Lopez

One of the main reasons you should hire a criminal lawyer is to argue your innocence or a reasonable sentence based on the facts of a case. However, once a trial is over and a judge sentences you to prison, you may think that you will cut ties with your criminal lawyer. After all, you may think you will no longer need their services upon sentencing. Nevertheless, criminal lawyers often advise their clients to maintain contact, even after sentencing. This article highlights reasons such contact is essential.  

Appeal Your Case 

Appeal is the final stage of a criminal case, and it is usually the last chance for a defendant to fight for their freedom or reduced sentence. Essentially, a criminal lawyer looks for technical errors regarding how the prosecution built a case against you. Therefore, it is advisable to retain your attorney since they have a better understanding of the details of your case. Most importantly, it increases the chances of success should you decide to appeal. Even if you hire a different lawyer experienced in appeal cases, they need your current lawyer to guide them through the facts of the case. Therefore, it is better than letting your new lawyer navigate the piles of paperwork alone as they try to find errors to use in your appeal.

File for Expungement 

A criminal record of a conviction is something many convicts must live with after leaving prison. Sadly, a criminal record can be a barrier to securing employment, housing or a professional licence. The reason is that most employers and landlords conduct background checks on applicants routinely. Therefore, expunging a criminal record can open a new world of opportunities for you. That said, a criminal record must meet strict criteria to qualify for expungement. This is where you need your criminal lawyer since they are better positioned to argue that your record meets the set criteria. For instance, your lawyer will immediately file for the expungement of your arrest and conviction if new evidence alluding to your innocence emerges.

Early Parole 

Parole refers to early release from prison and is sometimes included in a judgment. For instance, a judge might sentence you to 20 years in jail but state that you are eligible for parole after serving ten years. However, just because you are eligible for parole does not mean you qualify since you must meet specific conditions before applying. For example, you might be required to pick up certain useful skills or be on your best behaviour while in prison to qualify for parole. A criminal lawyer keeps track of your progress in prison and helps compile an accurate and convincing report to present to a parole board. Their involvement often leads to higher chances of success for your parole application.  

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