Understanding Your Rights in Criminal Defense Cases

If you're being charged with a drug crime here in East Hartford, CT, don't think that just because the charges have been filed that the case is a slam dunk against you and there's nothing that can be done. There are several things that a criminal lawyer can do to defend you. Argue the Search Was Illegal If the police did not have a search warrant, then they must have reasonable cause to believe that you are engaged in illegal activity to search you. One of the first avenues of defense is to investigate the whole incident and discover whether the police had a legal reason to do what they did. If it turns out they did not, then any evidence they turned up could be excluded; and without evidence, it's going to be very difficult to bring a case against you. more Challenge the Crime Lab Analysis Once the police take what they think are drugs, they must officially prove that that's indeed what they are. This means they have to send the "drugs" to their crime lab to be analyzed, and your lawyer will look into whether there are any errors in the report or concerns about that lab. If there are any issues in the report or a history of concerns about the lab, your lawyer may be able to require the crime lab analyst to testify at trial and the crime lab to prove their testing methods are accurate. You might be surprised how many labs fail under proper scrutiny. Contest the Chain of Custody If drugs are seized in a search, even a legal one, the police must be able to document and verify the entire "chain of custody" from start to finish. If that chain is broken or suspect at any point, your attorney can challenge the drugs, and they may not be usable in court. Arguing the Drugs Aren't Yours Another possibility for defense is showing that the drugs didn't belong to you. The prosecution has to show that you had control of or access to the drugs, and while "access to" is a fairly low bar, it's still possible in many cases to challenge this and introduce reasonable doubt. It really all depends on the precise circumstances of the case. If you were found with drugs actually on your person or sitting on the front seat of your car, you can't argue you didn't have access and control. But if the drugs were found in a drawer of a shared home, or if you were driving a friend's car and the drugs were found in the trunk hidden under the mat, it might be easier to introduce doubt. Talk With a Criminal Lawyer Right Away Don't wait to talk to a criminal attorney, and don't speak to the police or introduce any of the above theories on your own, as it could backfire. Call the Adler Law Group, LLC Attorneys at Law in East Hartford, CT now at 959-256-2177.

Facing a DUI charge in Connecticut can result in fines, license suspension, and incarceration. A criminal lawyer may help you reduce the severity of the sentence by identifying weaknesses in the prosecution's case, presenting mitigating factors, and negotiating with the state. At Adler Law Group, LLC, we focus on seeking favorable outcomes for people charged with DUI offenses in East Hartford, CT. Connecticut law sets out specific penalties for DUI offenses. For a first offense, you may face up to six months in jail, a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000, and a 45-day license suspension followed by mandatory use of an ignition interlock device. Penalties increase for repeat offenses, and aggravating factors, such as having a child in the vehicle or causing an accident, can lead to harsher sentencing. more Presenting Legal Defenses You can challenge a DUI charge on multiple grounds, and a successful legal defense can lead to dismissal or reduced charges. For example, if the officer did not have probable cause to initiate the traffic stop or if the breathalyzer device was improperly calibrated, your attorney can move to suppress that evidence. If the case is weakened through pretrial motions, prosecutors may offer a more favorable plea deal, or the judge may consider a reduced sentence at disposition. We investigate the facts surrounding your arrest thoroughly. If the arresting officer violated your constitutional rights or made procedural errors, that can weigh in your favor. These legal strategies don't just help at trial, either: they often influence how sentencing is approached and with plea discussions. Using Mitigating Circumstances to Your Advantage Judges consider the context of the offense when determining a sentence. If you have no prior criminal record, were cooperative during your arrest, or have taken voluntary steps like attending a treatment program, these factors can influence a more lenient outcome. We work with you to gather documentation and present these facts persuasively to the court. We may recommend that you proactively complete an alcohol education or rehabilitation program, even before sentencing. Connecticut's Pretrial Impaired Driver Intervention Program (IDIP) may be available to first-time offenders and, if completed successfully, could impact the severity of your charges significantly. Negotiating Plea Agreements for Reduced Penalties Prosecutors in Connecticut often prefer to resolve cases through plea agreements rather than lengthy trials. Your attorney can negotiate terms that reduce or eliminate jail time in favor of probation, community service, or treatment. While you must still accept responsibility for the offense, the sentence can be significantly less severe than what would result from a conviction after trial. Our firm approaches negotiations with a full understanding of the evidence and applicable law. We leverage that knowledge to request alternatives to incarceration, advocate for minimal fines, and propose conditions that help you avoid long-term license suspension or other hardships. \We tailor our strategy to your case and focus on securing the best possible result under Connecticut law. Schedule a consultation with us today at Adler Law Group, LLC, in East Hartford, CT, so that we can work to protect your rights and reduce the impact of a DUI charge on your future.

What should you do if you've been arrested? Though it's not something you're likely to want to have to search, it's important that you know what to do if it ever happens. Facing criminal charges can be scary, but there are steps you can take to help get yourself the best possible defense. At the Adler Law Group, LLC, in East Hartford, CT, we have put together these tips from a criminal lawyer. 3 Tips for Defending Yourself Against Criminal Charges in East Hartford 1. Exercise Your Right To Remain Silent The first best tip for if you have been arrested and charged with a criminal offense is to make use of your right to remain silent. The only words out of your mouth, other than to confirm your identity, should be “I would like to speak to a lawyer.” Insisting on this right does not make you look guilty; even qualified lawyers sure of their own innocence make sure they have counsel if they are arrested. Do not answer any questions until you have talked with a criminal attorney. more 2. Hire a Criminal Lawyer in East Hartford, CT As someone under a criminal charge, you have the right to an attorney, and the most important thing is that you make use of that right. As your lawyers we will make sure you understand all your rights and the charges against you. We will go through the case and listen to your version of events. In some cases, there is a straightforward way to have the charges against you dropped. For example, you may be able to prove that you were somewhere completely different while the crime was being committed. In other cases it may be that the police have made a procedural error, such as failing to get a warrant for evidence, which makes your arrest invalid. We will also make sure that, along with sharing information that may lead to your exoneration before a case comes to trial, you do not give any information to the police or the prosecutors that will harm your defense. 3. Help Us Provide Reasonable Doubt At trial, the prosecution must prove that you are guilty “beyond reasonable doubt.” This level of proof is sometimes described as being beyond the level of doubt that would cause a reasonable person to pause or have concerns before making an important decision. To do this, the prosecution needs to prove that your guilt is the only reasonable explanation of the circumstances of the crime. It is not your duty, or the duty of your defense counsel, to prove that you didn't commit the crime. Rather, we aim to show reasonable doubt; that the story presented by the prosecution is not the only way that events could have occurred. The tips are just the beginning. When you hire us as your lawyers, we will assess your case, suggest a way to proceed, and fight to provide you with the best possible defense. To book a consultation, get in touch with us at the Adler Law Group, LLC, in East Hartford, CT.