Experienced Rhode Island Criminal Lawyer

We understand that clients will typically feel anxious and confused about the criminal process once they’ve been arrested. Rest easy knowing that your criminal defense attorney will be there to guide you through the criminal justice system from the moment of contact to the end of your case. Once you’ve been charged with a crime in Rhode Island, you will go through a series of court appearances and meetings with your lawyer to decipher the best legal actions to take for each stage. Shortly after your misdemeanor or a felony arrest, you’ll appear before a judge at an arraignment hearing where you will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. It is critical to speak with a criminal defense attorney before you enter a plea. Many defendants will feel as though the odds are against them and simply plead guilty at an arraignment hearing. This is never recommended. Before you appear before a judge in court, it’s important to contact a Providence criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Your criminal defense attorney will then support you through each additional step, such as your pre-trial hearing or trial. To learn more about the criminal justice process and what happens after you’re charged with a crime in Rhode Island, contact a Providence criminal defense attorney today at The Law Office of John E. MacDonald.

Rhode Island breaks crimes down into misdemeanors and felonies. A misdemeanor is more serious than an infraction, which is a minor crime like a traffic citation. A misdemeanor is less serious than a felony. Penalties for misdemeanor crimes have maximum sentencing of 1 year in jail and up to $1000 in fines. Examples of misdemeanor crimes include resisting arrest, simple assault, and vandalism.

A felony is the most serious crime. There are minimum penalties in Rhode Island for felony convictions. A felony can lead to at least 1 year in jail and more than $1000 in fines. Examples of felony crimes include burglary, breaking and entering, rape, and murder. Both misdemeanors and felonies may lead to consequences beyond fines and jail time, such as community service or required attendance in treatment programs. To understand more about penalties and sentencing in Rhode Island, contact a Providence criminal defense attorney today to schedule a consultation.

The cost of a criminal defense lawyer will vary according to a number of different factors, such as the classification of the crime, hours required, and the specific circumstances surrounding each case. It’s important to note that our clients will often state that a powerful defense and the guidance of a skilled lawyer are well worth the cost. If you’re concerned about the possibility of jail time, expensive fines, and your reputation amongst your family, friends, and community, it’s vital to have strong legal representation. To learn more about the cost of a Providence criminal defense lawyer, contact The Law Office of John E. MacDonald today to speak with an attorney.

Being charged with a crime is a serious matter. Regardless if it’s a misdemeanor or a felony, it’s important to have a powerful defense strategy and the guidance of a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney. A criminal defense attorney can be by your side throughout the entire process, explain each step of the legal system, create options for you that you didn’t know you had, work towards case dismissals, get your charges dropped, or minimize your penalties. If you want the best possible results, it’s important to work with an aggressive and seasoned criminal defense attorney.

The attorneys at our law firm will always recommend reviewing the job description and tasks of an experienced criminal defense attorney before hiring one. It’s important to have a general understanding and an expectation of what your criminal defense attorney should be providing for you as far as legal defense and legal representation. First and foremost, your criminal defense attorney should be accessible to explain the criminal justice process to you, answer any of your questions, and address any of your concerns regarding your criminal case. Second, your criminal defense lawyer should be by your side in court on important dates, such as arraignment hearings or pre-trial hearings. Finally, a qualified criminal defense attorney should also be willing to investigate your case, question witnesses, design an aggressive defense strategy, and explore every option possible to help you achieve the best results. To learn more about what a criminal defense attorney does, don’t hesitate to contact our law firm to speak with a lawyer today.