Slidell Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are arrested in Louisiana, you have certain rights protected by both the United States and the Louisiana Constitution. It's essential to be aware of these rights to ensure that your rights are not violated during the arrest and subsequent legal process. Here are some of the key rights you have when arrested in Louisiana:

Right to Remain Silent: You do have the right to remain silent and cannot be compelled to incriminate yourself. You can exercise this right by saying, "I wish to remain silent," or simply refusing to answer any questions beyond providing your identification.

• Right to an Attorney: You have the right to a lawyer. The court will appoint a public defender if you are unable to afford one. You should request an attorney when you are arrested or questioned by the police.
• Right to Know the Charges: You have the right to know the charges against you. The police must inform you of the reason for your arrest. If they do not, you should ask.
• Right to Refuse Searches: You can refuse a search of your person, vehicle, or home without a valid warrant. If the police ask permission to search, you can politely decline unless they have a warrant or probable cause.
• Right to Due Process: You have the right to due process of law. This includes the right to a fair and timely trial, the right to remain innocent until proven guilty, and the right to confront witnesses against you.

• Right to Bail: In most cases, you have the right to bail, which permits you to be released from custody while your case is pending. The amount of bail may differ depending on the severity of the charges and additional factors.
• Protection Against Cruel and Unusual Punishment: You are protected from cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
• Right to Privacy: You have a reasonable expectation of privacy in certain places, such as your home. Law enforcement typically needs a warrant to search these areas.
• Miranda Rights: If you are in custody and being interrogated by the police, they are required to read you your Miranda rights, including the right to remain silent and an attorney. If they fail to do so, any statements you make may be inadmissible in court.

It's important to exercise your rights respectfully and calmly. While you have the right to remain silent, it's usually a good idea to provide basic identification information when requested by the police. If you believe your rights are being violated during an arrest or questioning, do not hesitate to contact our Slidell criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Why Hire a Defense Attorney?

You should consider hiring a skilled defense lawyer to represent your case for several reasons. These include but are not limited to:

• Time put into your case: A public defender simply does not have the time to invest hours into your case. They are overloaded and unable to handle the load they are given.
• Stake in the outcome: A private defender has more of a stake in the outcome of your case and will be putting themselves on the line to fight for you.
• More resources: A private attorney has far more resources at their disposal when building a case and representing you in court. This level of service can make or break your case.