Have you been charged with a criminal offense? The best time to contact a criminal lawyer is as soon as possible. With Bill Byrnes of Byrnes Law Firm as their criminal lawyer, St. Charles residents have successfully defended themselves against a range of criminal charges, including:
- DWI charges
- Assault
- Drug possession
- Firearm charges
- Theft and burglary
- Forgery and fraud
- Probation violations
So why choose Byrnes Law Firm? Over the course of Bill Byrnes’ 20-year legal career, a number of judges have remarked to clients about how well Byrnes Law Firm has represented them in court. During consultations and in the courtroom, Bill seeks to maintain the best interests of clients. He has also maintained a rating of “excellent” through Avvo, the independent legal services rating service.
Bill understands how the criminal justice system in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties truly works and will apply that knowledge in fighting the charges against you. To schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your case, contact Byrnes Law Firm, today.
5 Ways to Find the Best Criminal Lawyer in St. Charles
One of the top questions Bill Byrnes of Byrnes Law Firm receives is “How do I find the best criminal lawyer in St. Charles?” While Byrnes Law Firm is available to provide legal representation and advice, we’ve assembled the top five traits you should look for in a criminal lawyer. Finding an attorney that is experienced and qualified to handle your type of case will be your best option in having your charges dropped, or being fairly represented in court.
#1. Go with experience. When it comes to successfully fighting criminal charges, the single most important deciding factor will likely come down to how experienced your attorney is. An experienced criminal lawyer will know the ins and outs of the criminal justice system, as well as the politics that go on between prosecutors and judges.
As mentioned on the FindLaw® website, experience can also translate to having valuable working relationships with prosecutors. This allows negotiations to take place which may help you to get a desirable plea bargain in your case. A plea bargain is essentially a deal worked out between the defense and prosecution that often revolves around having a sentence reduced, or some of the more major charges being dismissed.
#2. Find an attorney who will listen. As you research the many criminal lawyers out there, you’ll want to find an attorney who is personable and will take the time to discuss all the details of the case. Sometimes, a seemingly minor detail can completely change the outcome of a criminal law case. Therefore, choosing an attorney that listens to clients is second only to the years of relevant experience they have representing clients in court.
During your initial consultation, pay attention to what the attorney is saying. Are they explaining the details of your case in a way you comprehend, or does it sound like they are using a bunch of legal jargon that they know you don’t understand?
#3. Find a lawyer you can trust. The duration of your initial consultation will likely be brief. You should view this time as a way to get a feel for how they conduct themselves and who they are as a person. You may have to “go with your gut” in deciding if this is a person you can trust to represent you. If you get the sense that a particular attorney seems untrustworthy, it is likely the judge, prosecutor, and jurors will feel the same way.
Go online and research potential defense attorneys. Narrow down your list of potential criminal lawyers by reading online reviews. You may also discover news articles about cases similar to your own.
A good defense attorney will not fill you with false hope, but provide you with a realistic view of how the case is likely to unfold.
#4. Has the lawyer represented similar cases? Ask the lawyer what percentage of their practice is devoted to cases similar to your own. For example, if you are charged with stealing, ask the attorney what percentage of their experience involves theft cases. You can take this one step further by asking what percentage of these cases have been dismissed and/or defendants acquitted?
#5. Weigh the costs. Depending on the severity of the charges against you (and your personal finances), you can either choose to be represented by a private attorney or public defender. In most instances, going with a private attorney is the most desirable option. That’s not to say that — like private attorneys — there aren’t good public defenders out there. But, if you do choose a public defender, you will be greatly limited in choosing who represents you in court, and how determined they may be in pursuing your interests.
As a highly regarded criminal lawyer, Byrnes Law Firm has decades of experience in representing clients across numerous types of criminal offenses. Before you call us to schedule a free consultation, we invite you to go online and read through our Google reviews.
Defend Yourself Against Criminal Charges
Request to Have the Charges Dropped
After reviewing the facts of your case, Byrnes Law Firm can file a request with the judge to have the charges dismissed. Byrnes Law Firm has successfully won dismissals in numerous cases after submitting compelling evidence that runs contrary to the initial findings of the arresting officer and prosecution. A dismissal will also save you legal fees associated with a jury trial, making it the logical first step.
Prove the Act was in Defense
There may be clear evidence that the defendant — while technically guilty of the charges leveled against them — should not be be held legally responsible for their actions due to circumstances surrounding the criminal act.
In some instances, a client of Byrnes Law Firm can successfully avoid a conviction based on the circumstances, such as motivations of self-defense, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol (or prescription medication) at the time.
Demonstrate Entrapment by Law Enforcement
The term entrapment means “to trap.” By legal standards, entrapment occurs when law enforcement official (or someone acting on their behalf) encourages an individual to engage in a criminal act that they may not otherwise be a part of without the coercion or influence of law enforcement. Most cases of entrapment involve “victimless crimes” such as buying drugs, soliciting a prostitute, money laundering, theft, and other criminal acts. If you were coerced by a member of law enforcement to commit a criminal act, you may be able to have the charges dropped if entrapment can be demonstrated.
Put Experience On Your Side
Byrnes Law Firm has successfully represented thousands of clients over the 20-year history of the law firm. Attorney Bill Byrnes understands the politics of the criminal justice system, as well as all of the ins and outs of how the system really works. With Byrnes Law Firm, you will have 20 years of criminal law experience on your side. Contact us today at 636-896-4300 to schedule a FREE 20-minute consultation.