Oklahoma Criminal Defense Attorneys: Phillips & Associates

What Does an Oklahoma City Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

A criminal defense attorney from Phillips & Associates represents clients throughout every stage of a criminal case including investigation, arrest, plea negotiations, jury trial, sentencing, and appeals. Our attorneys provide comprehensive legal representation including protecting the constitutional rights of the defendant, negotiating with prosecutors, representing clients at hearings and trial, analyzing and reviewing police reports, witness statements, expert testimony, forensic evidence, and investigative reports to identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case. The responsibilities of a criminal defense attorney are listed below.

1. Protect constitutional rights: ensure clients are protected from unlawful searches and seizures, self-incrimination, and other violations of their constitutional rights. 
2. Explain the criminal justice process: advise clients about every stage of their case, including investigations, arrests, hearings, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and appeals.
3. Provide legal advice: explain the criminal charges, potential penalties, available defenses, and legal options so our clients can make informed decisions.
4. Develop defense strategies: Build a legal defense based on the facts of the case, applicable Oklahoma law, and the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution's evidence.
5. Investigate criminal allegations: Review police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, expert testimony, forensic evidence, and investigative reports to identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case.
6. Negotiate with prosecutors: seek dismissals, reduced charges, favorable plea agreements, deferred sentences, probation, or other resolutions that are favorable for the defendant.
7. Represent clients in court: advocate for clients during bond hearings, arraignments, preliminary hearings, motion hearings, jury trials, sentencing hearings, and appeals.
8. Challenge the prosecutions evidence: file legal motions, challenge unlawfully obtained evidence, question witness credibility, and contest forensic or expert testimony when necessary.
9. Advocate during sentencing: present mitigating evidence and argue for reduced sentences, probation, diversion programs, or other alternatives to prison time when a conviction is unaviodable.

The earlier a criminal justice attorney is hired for a case, the sooner they can begin protecting the constitutional rights of the defendant, evaluating the prosectutions evidence, and developing a defense strategy.

When Should You Hire an Oklahoma City Criminal Defense Attorney?

You should hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as you learn you are under investigation, are contacted by law enforcement, are arrested, or are formally charged with a crime. Hiring a defense attorney early in the legal process helps to protect your constitutional rights, prevents you from making damaging statements to investigators, and improves your chances of getting a favorable outcome such as a dismissal, reduced charges, plea negotiations, or successful trial defense. An experienced lawyer begins protecting your rights before charges are filed by talking with investigators, reviewing evidence, and developing a defense strategy.

Why Hire a Defense Attorney Early?

Hiring a defense attorney early allows them to begin protecting your rights before mistakes are made that could affect the outcome of your case. An experienced criminal lawyer will communicate with law enforcement on the defendant's behalf, advise the defendant during questioning, review search warrants, evaluate evidence, identify violations of the defendant's constitutional rights, preserve evidence that supports the defendant's case, and develope a defense strategy before prosecutors file charges.

What Can an Attorney Do Before Criminal Charges Are Filed?

A defense attorney can have a substantial impact on the outcome of a case by starting before charges are filed. Hiring an attorney during the investigatory stage of a case enables them to review police reports, interview witnesses, analyze forensic and digital evidence, communicate with investigators and prosecutors, advise their clients, and work to prevent the filing of criminal charges.

Signs You Should Contact a Criminal Law Firm Immediately

The signs that you should immediately contact a criminal law firm such as Phillips &Associates include police wanting to question you, a search warrant has been executed, you have been arrested, you have received a subpoena, you have been charged, someone has accused you of a crime, or investigators have contacted you.

How to Find the Best Oklahoma City Criminal Defense Lawyer

Finding the best criminal lawyer involves reviewing ratings on legal directories such as AVVO and Justia, reading Google Reviews and client testimonials, asking for referrals from other attorneys or trusted professionals, checking local bar association websites, and scheduling consultations to evaluate the attorney’s communication style, legal strategy, and courtroom experience.

Choosing the best Oklahoma City criminal defense lawyer requires evaluating the experience of attorneys based on the specific criminal charges involved. The best attorneys have a deep knowledge of Oklahoma criminal law and court procedures, the ability to develop an effective defense strategy, a strong record of trial experience and negotiations, and a commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of their clients through every step in the Oklahoma criminal justice process.

The steps for finding a good criminal defense attorney are listed below.

1. Go to legal directories such as AVVO or Justia
2. Check Google reviews
3. Read client testimonials
4. Ask for referrals from other attorneys or trusted professionals
5. Check local bar association websites
6. Schedule free consultations with the best potential attorneys for your case.

What To Do After Getting Arrested in Oklahoma?

After getting arrested it is important to remain calm and take immediate steps to protect your legal rights. Anyone who has gotten arrested should follow the steps listed below.

1. Remain silent: do not answer questions about the allegations against you or discuss the case with law enforcement without an attorney. Anything you say can be used against you.
2. Request a Criminal Attorney: clearly say that you want legal representation and that you will not answer any questions until your lawyer is present.
3. Do Not Consent to Searches: do not give permission to law enforcement to search your home, vehicle, phone, or other personal property unless they have the legal authority to do so.
4. Do Not Discuss the Case: do not talk about your arrest with friends, family, cellmates, or on social media. These statements can be used as evidence against you.
5. Follow the Advice of Your Attorney: your criminal defense attorney is an expert in the Oklahoma criminal process. Follow their advice to ensure your rights are protected.

It is crucial to hire a defense attorney immediately after being arrested.

What Are the Most Common Types of Crime in Oklahoma?

The most common types of crime in Oklahoma include violent crimes, traffic crimes, drug crimes, domestic crimes, white collar crimes, and sex crimes. The most common types of crime committed in Oklahoma are listed below.

1. Violent crimes: violent crimes comprise 22-28% of the criminal offenses committed in the state of Oklahoma each year. Violent crimes include assault and battery, aggravated assault, robbery, homicide (murder & manslaughter), and kidnapping.
2. Traffic crimes: traffic crimes make up 15-25% of all crimes committed in Oklahoma in any given year. Traffic crimes include driving while under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, hit and run, and driving under suspension.
3. Drug crimes: drug-related crimes account for 12-16% of the total crimes committed in the State of Oklahoma each year. Drug crimes include possession, possession with intent, trafficking and aggravated trafficking, manufacturing, and offenses involving prescription drugs.
4. Domestic crimes: domestic crimes make up 8-12% of the crimes reported in Oklahoma each year. Domestic crimes include domestic assault, domestic abuse, stalking, and protective order violations.
5. White collar crimes: white collar crimes account for 4-8% of the crimes committed in Oklahoma. White collar crimes include fraud, embezzlement, forgery, identity theft, insurance fraud, and other financial crimes.w
6. Sex crimes: sex crimes comprise 2-4% of the total number of crimes committed in Oklahoma each year. Sex crimes include rape, statutory rape, sexual assault, indecent exposure, child molestation, and child pornography.

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