Criminal Defense Lawyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

If you are facing criminal charges in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, you may have many questions about your rights and the next steps forward. Under the law, you are innocent until proven guilty, have the right to remain silent, and have the right to be represented by a criminal defense lawyer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Miller & Hilgendorf are criminal defense attorneys in Baton Rouge, Louisiana who work closely with individuals facing criminal charges, police questioning, or those who are being wrongfully accused of a crime they did not commit.

Prosecutors may try to urge individuals facing criminal charges to plead guilty. In exchange for  a plea deal, individuals might face less time in jail or might receive reduced charges. However, pleading guilty to a crime you did not commit can have serious consequences on your life. Before you take a plea deal, reach out to the criminal defense attorneys in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Miller & Hilgendorf.

While you are entitled to representation from a public defender if you are facing criminal charges, public defenders are often overworked and may only have a limited amount of time to review your case. In some cases, they may suggest that you take a plea deal. Having a qualified criminal defense lawyer in Baton Rouge, like Miller & Hilgendorf can make an immense difference in the outcome of your case. Contact our firm today to learn more about how we can protect your rights.

What to do if You’re Facing Criminal Charges in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

 If you have been arrested or are facing questions from police regarding a crime, you have the right to remain silent. You have the right to tell police that you will not speak to them unless your lawyer is present. If you are facing criminal charges in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, your first step should be to seek the representation of a qualified criminal defense lawyer like Miller & Hilgendorf.

If a prosecutor decides to press charges, you’ll be asked to go to court and make your plea. Before making a plea, take the time to speak to your criminal defense attorney in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Pleading guilty to a crime can carry very serious consequences. A qualified criminal lawyer can review the facts of your case, review the circumstances of your arrest, and possibly fight to help you get your charges dropped. If police failed to follow police protocols, if evidence was mishandled, or if you were racially profiled, your criminal lawyer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana may be able to bring this evidence to light. Sometimes prosecutors file charges with insufficient evidence. In other cases, your criminal lawyer may be able to speak to witnesses or find evidence to support your innocence. Finally, a criminal defense lawyer may be able to secure you a plea deal, in some cases where prosecutorial evidence is strong. However, before making a plea deal, it is important to understand the consequences of pleading guilty. A qualified criminal defense attorney like Miller & Hilgendorf in Baton Rouge, Louisiana can review all your options and help you understand the best course forward. If you are facing criminal charges, much is at stake. You need a qualified criminal defense attorney working on your side.

Reach out to a criminal defense lawyer like Miller & Hilgendorf in Baton Rouge, Louisiana today. Assert your right to remain silent. A lawyer can stand beside you during police questioning and protect your rights.

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Consequences of Criminal Conviction 

A criminal conviction is different from criminal charges. If you have been charged with a crime, you are innocent until proven guilty. However, if you are convicted of a crime, this means that either you have plead guilty to the charges, or that you have been found guilty by a judge or jury. Criminal convictions come with serious consequences. The most serious immediate consequence is that you may have to serve time in jail. However, there are other consequences of conviction, known as collateral consequences. These consequences include:

• Limited access to business or job opportunities.
• Limited access or denial of certain types of government benefits or programs, including student loans or government housing.
• In some states, individuals with felony charges are denied the right to vote.

Louisiana has some specific laws restricting the rights of individuals with felony convictions or other criminal convictions. According to the Justice Center, these collateral consequences include the following laws:

• Ineligibility to possess firearms for those charged with felonies
• Ineligibility to serve as election watcher or on neighborhood crime prevention watches
• Ineligibility for appointment on certain boards
• Ineligibility to serve as a juror or executor for an estate
• Ineligibility to be a tutor
• Ineligibility to adopt
• Ineligible to vote
• Revocation of certain licenses, including fishing licenses, and driver’s licenses for DUIs or other driving offenses
• Restrictions on social media use for certain offenses
• Restrictions on travel (individuals with felonies may not be permitted to enter certain countries)
• Be required to disclose felony convictions in certain state background checks

These are just some of the restrictions and consequences that individuals with certain criminal convictions might face. In addition to this, individuals with criminal convictions may face bias from potential employers, may have difficulty securing work, and may struggle to rebuild their lives long after their jail sentence has been served. If you are facing criminal charges in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, you need a qualified criminal defense lawyer on your side. Reach out to Miller & Hilgendorf today.

Protect Your Rights and Freedom

 If you are facing criminal charges, much is at stake. Your freedom, your reputation, and your rights as a free citizen of the U.S. may all be on the line. You need a qualified criminal lawyer working for you to protect your rights and to ensure that justice is carried out properly. Miller & Hilgendorf will take the time to understand the details of your case, do the research, and fight to protect your rights and reputation.