These are the ways that a criminal lawyer can protect you. And it really is not very expensive, when you consider what’s at stake.  For $2,000 to $4,000 you will protect your rights, protect your family, and stand a better chance of spending the time before your case’s conclusion out of jail.

Call any time – weekdays or weekends – at (919) 352-9411 for advice.

It’s no secret that Michigan is enduring the most extreme effects of the nation’s economic crisis: its unemployment rate stands at 15.3%, and the state is functioning on a temporary budget as legislators rush to close a $2.8 billion deficit. In recent years, the financial situation here has been so dire that Michigan has closed several detention facilities, reducing its prisonA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of CorrectionsA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of Corrections in North Carolina or the Bureau of PrisonsA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of Corrections in North Carolina or the Bureau of Prisons in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. in North Carolina or the Bureau of PrisonsA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of Corrections in North Carolina or the Bureau of Prisons in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. population by thousands. Now, however, the state appears to be viewing prisoners in a different economic light — as a potential revenue generator.

There are ways to resolve a recession… and there are ways to not resolve a recession. Trying to get more prisoners housed in your state… that’s not a way to resolve a recession.

The United States has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, and the highest incarceration rate among industrialized societies. In part, that’s because of the awful War on Drugs. The goal shouldn’t be imprisoning more people, or having more imprisoned people relocated to your state.

The goal should be building a society in which people have the freedom to live their lives, so long as they aren’t violent toward other people.

That’s what the people who founded this country believed.

But talking to a lawyer is absolutely crucial early in a case.  I’ve talked to a number of potential clients in the last month. A few of whom have hired me. And a few who haven’t.  But I can guarantee you, that even the folks who did not hire me, have learned from my advice.

That’s because a criminal lawyer is familiar with the process. A criminal lawyer has been through cases numerous times. And a criminal lawyer knows the kinds of things that a client can do to improve his chances to avoid convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt..

Even if you don’t hire an attorney, if you think you might be arrested, or you think you might be in trouble, it is worth your time to call an attorney and, if possible, visit the lawyer and talk one-on-one.  You’ll learn things about the criminal process, particularly as it is handled in Raleigh, Cary, and Apex and the rest of Wake County.

You’ll learn what to expect.  You’ll also learn what you need to do to avoid further criminal liability, and to protect you and your family.

Call me at (919) 352-9411 if I can be of help. Even if I’m too busy to take the case, or I’m not the right lawyer to take the case, I can point you in the direction of an attorney who would be good.  And I can help you think through your next steps.

Being a police officer is a serious matter. Tasering is a serious matter. People have died from tasers. Is this really appropriate?

For years criminal lawyers have used flat-fee-billing.  The advantage of a flat-fee billing for the client is that the client knows precisely how much it will cost to hire the lawyer to do something for the client.  If it’s to negotiate a DUI pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. with the district attorneyA District Attorney is the represented of the State, usually elected by the people of a judicial district, to prosecute crimes on behalf of the State. The Wake County District Attorney is Colon Willoughby, Jr. A District Attorney usually has a staff, including assistant district attorneys who are the actual prosecutors who handle most of the day-to-day caseload., it might cost one amount.  If it’s to negotiate a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. involving a homicide, it will cost a lot more.  And if it’s to go to trial, it will cost even more.  But the advantage is that the client knows what it will cost from the beginning.

This gives the client the comfort of knowing that, when the case is done, he isn’t going to be surprised with a bill he can’t pay.

This also gives the attorney the ability to adjust rates to accurately reflect the result being requested.  Instead of just spending hour after hour, and charging the client hour after hour in fees, the attorney can figure out generally how much time it takes him to do some service, and charge accordingly.

In addition, this gives the lawyer that comfort of knowing that the client can pay at the beginning of the case.  If the lawyer bills by the hour, and the hours simply add up, the attorney runs the risk that the attorney fees will be more than the client could possibly pay.

Flat fee criminal law and DUI law billing has been around for a long time.  Any criminal lawyer you should be able to tell you how much he will charge to handle your case.

Since the courthouse is downtown where all criminal cases are handled, attorneys who do criminal work need to be near the courthouse.

The Chetson Firm, PLLC, is also located downtown at 19 W. Hargett Street, Suite 920, Raleigh, NC.  But an attorney is available to meet clients in any suburb or to visit clients who may be held in custodyCustody is a general term used describe a condition where an individual does not feel free to leave, as the result of a show of police authority. A person in custody must be read his Miranda rights before being questioned by police. Custody includes arrest, but may be broader than arrest..

Feel free to reach The Chetson Firm at (919) 352-9411 or <a href=”mailto:damon@chetson.com”>damon@chetson.com</a> to see how The Chetson Firm, PLLC might be able to help with your or your loved one’s criminal case.

In 1978, a retired Iowa police officer was killed while working as an off-duty security guard. Prosecutors in Iowa, working with police, manufactured evidence against the two main suspects. Both were convictedA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. of murder and sentenced to life without parole, but a subsequent investigation in the 1990s revealed the misconduct.

The Iowa Supreme Court set aside both convictions in 2003, after the men had served 25 years for crimes they did not commit. In an attempt to get something for being wrongly convictedA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. and suffering 25 years in jail, they attempted to sue the prosecutors, alleging willful misconduct.

In a 1976 case the Supreme Court seemed to create absolute immunity for prosecutors, even those who engage in willful misconduct. The prosecutors in this case claim that government prosecutors, in effect, have the ability to lie, coerce witnesses, and make up testimony, without facing any civil liability for their actions.

If the Supreme Court buys this argument it would severely limit the remedies available to wrongfully convictedA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. individuals.

North Carolina has had its own experience with wrongful or allegedly wrongful convictions. Darryl Hunt spent 19 years in jail for a crime he did not commit.

In another case, a three judge panel in Wake County will review Greg Taylor’s convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. for murder in 1993. In that case, another man – Craig Taylor – has confessed to the crime. No prosecutorial misconduct has been alleged in this case.