Every criminal violation will have punishments unique to its circumstances and the details specific to the suspect’s arrest. You may not know exactly the penalties you could face until your trial is underway. However, you can anticipate what might happen based on how similar crimes were penalized in your state in the past.

Most crimes will be penalized with the following consequences upon conviction:

• Incarceration: People convicted of a serious misdemeanor can be incarcerated in a county jail for up to 364 days. Felony crimes can be penalized with incarceration in a state prison for one year or longer.
• Fines: Criminal violations are most commonly penalized fines paid to the state or to the federal government, depending on the crime in question. Fines can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars for the most serious of crimes.
• Community service: To benefit a community in need, judges may tack community service onto certain sentencing requirements. Services can range from cleaning up the side of a highway to even participating in mandatory fire brigades.
• License suspension: Driver’s licenses, professional licenses, and career-related certifications can all be suspended or revoked, especially when the crime relates to those licenses and accreditation.

Advantages of Hiring a Former Prosecutor

A prosecutor is an attorney who determines which charges to file against a person accused of a criminal offense, then tries the case in a court of law. A criminal defense lawyer who has had legal experience as a prosecutor can offer insight that your typical attorney cannot.

The following are the advantages of having a former prosecutor as your lawyer:

• Has a thorough understanding of both sides of the courtroom - While a prosecutor must present factual evidence to attempt to obtain a conviction, a defense lawyer generally only needs to provide the best defense possible to prove there is a reasonable doubt. This allows a lawyer to know the prosecution’s weaknesses, which will strengthen their client’s case.
• Experience in courtroom litigation - A seasoned prosecutor spends most of their career litigating cases in the courtroom. The truth is that most cases are settled without a trial, which means many lawyers practice law without ever stepping foot in court. Former prosecutors will be better equipped to handle cases that reach trial.
• Negotiate better plea deals - A former prosecutor understands how far the District Attorney may be pushed during plea negotiations. The first plea bargain is often more favorable for the prosecution, so a lawyer with experience as a prosecutor can use their knowledge of the other side to effectively and successfully negotiate deals for their clients.
• Capable of handling a heavy caseload - Ordinary criminal defense attorneys have a select number of clients since they can only give each client so much attention and time. By contrast, prosecutors have a larger caseload since there is a constant flow of cases for the state to handle. Former prosecutors know how to effectively handle their cases, no matter how much they have on their plate.
• Familiar with the local court - A former prosecutor will have tried a number of cases in local court. An attorney with prosecution experience may have an extensive understanding of the biases of each judge and how they often rule in the previous case. Additionally, a former prosecutor may also have the admiration and respect of their former colleagues and peers.

At the Law Office of Dennis R. Vetrano, Jr., LLC, we have four former prosecutors on our experienced legal team. They can provide unrivaled insight into how the prosecution may prepare for your case, then build an effective defense strategy to strengthen your argument. No matter how complicated your case may be, our Dutchess County criminal defense attorneys can help you get the best outcome possible.

DEFEND YOURSELF WITH CONFIDENCE BY CALLING (845) 605-4330

You deserve a chance to tell your side of the story. You deserve respect and fairness whenever you go before a judge or jury. You deserve nothing less than the excellent service of our Dutchess County criminal defense attorneys. We will fight for the best possible outcome, ranging from a case dismissal, charge reduction, or a not guilty verdict. Best of all, our law firm includes four former prosecutors who can give unrivaled insight into what the opposition may do in your case.

Contact us today and schedule a case evaluation.