Shreveport Criminal Defense Attorney

Hire the Best Criminal Defense Attorney in Shreveport, LA

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Do you need a criminal defense attorney in Shreveport?

If you’ve been charged with a crime in the Shreveport or Bossier City area, you’re probably wondering what happens next. Will you have to go to prison? What will happen to your family? How can you protect them, and yourself?

No one expects to be charged with a crime. When it happens, people often feel overwhelmed and are unsure of what to do.If you receive criminal charges in Shreveport or Bossier City, the first thing you need to do is hire an experienced Shreveport and Bossier City criminal defense attorney like Christopher Stahl.

Mr. Stahl has handled hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases in North Louisiana, including drug and alcohol offenses, and theft. His experience in the criminal justice system could mean the difference between winning or losing your case.

Criminal defense attorney in bossier city

Do I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Bossier City?

If you’ve been charged with a crime in the Shreveport or Bossier City area, the short answer is yes, you do need a criminal defense attorney to defend you in court.

First of all, a criminal defense attorney in Shreveport can guide you through the courtroom process.

You may think that the police have no evidence against you, that they have made a mistake, and that if you simply explain yourself in court the judge will exonerate you. Unfortunately, courts don’t always work like this. The law is complex, and the rules of the courtroom can be confusing. For this reason, it is always best to have an experienced Shreveport and Bossier City criminal defense attorney to represent you in North Louisiana.

Second of all, when the courts charge you with a serious crime, the charges aren’t the only thing you have to deal with.

Depending on the crime in question, yours and your family’s reputations might be at stake. A criminal defense attorney in Bossier City and Shreveport like Christopher Stahl can help you mitigate the fallout of a criminal charge, and also deal with potential public scrutiny.

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What Do Shreveport and Bossier City Criminal Defense Attorneys Do?

Now that you know when you need a criminal defense attorney in Shreveport or Bossier City, you’re probably wondering exactly what a criminal defense attorney like Christopher Stahl can do for you.

A criminal defense attorney’s job doesn’t begin or end with the courtroom. It is your defense attorney’s job to prove that there is reasonable doubt that you are guilty. Short of that, it is their job to prove that you deserve a lighter sentence than what the prosecutor recommends.

Your defense attorney is your advocate throughout the entire criminal justice process. Here, we will give a general outline of a criminal defense attorney’s process when defending a client.

Criminal Defense Consultation

First, your criminal defense attorney in Bossier City or Shreveport will meet with you to discuss the facts of your case. During this meeting, it is important that you give your defense attorney as much information as possible. It is also important that you are completely honest with them, even if you are guilty.

This meeting will take place before you officially hire a criminal defense attorney. After reviewing the information, the attorney will be able to estimate your potential penalties, and will explain how they can help you. Then, you can decide if you want to hire them.

Before the Trial

Your criminal defense attorney’s work will begin long before your trial. They will review information from the prosecutor, conduct relevant interviews, research similar cases, and develop your defense theory. In many cases, a criminal defense attorney can prevent the case from going to trial at all, by negotiating a plea bargain or having your case dismissed.

A plea deal, or plea bargain, is a compromise negotiated between your criminal defense attorney and the prosecutor. In exchange for a guilty plea, you can receive a lighter sentence. This is where skill and experience comes in; your attorney will have to argue to get you the best possible plea deal. For this, you’ll want the best criminal defense attorney in Bossier City and Shreveport.

However, this isn’t possible for every defendant, and not every defendant will be open to accepting a plea deal.

Sometimes, if the prosecution believes they have enough evidence, they do not offer a plea deal at all. These are the cases that will go to trial.

Criminal Defense Attorney in Bossier City 1

The Trial

If your case does go to trial, your criminal defense attorney will play a part in choosing the jury. They will call witnesses, and question the prosecution’s witnesses on your behalf. During your trial, your defense attorney will fight for the best possible outcome for you.

What is Attorney-Client Privilege?

Many defendants wonder if they can be honest about what they have done with their attorney.

In all cases, it is essential to be honest with your criminal defense lawyer. Attorney-client privilege is the law’s version of doctor-patient confidentiality. Under attorney-client privilege, everything you discuss with your attorney stays between the two of you.

There are very few exceptions to this rule. An attorney can break attorney-client privilege only if:

  • They can prevent another person’s death with the information
  • To obtain legal advice from another attorney
  • They need to reveal the information to protect themselves against wrongful misconduct allegations

 

In the vast majority of cases, even in felony cases, there is no need for an attorney to break attorney-client privilege. You can be completely honest with your criminal defense attorney without fear of repercussions.

What About Criminal Defense Attorney Fees?

For many possible defendants, this is their next question: how am I going to pay for a criminal defense attorney in Shreveport or Bossier City?

Shreveport and Bossier City criminal defense attorneys like Christopher Stahl charge fees in a variety of ways. They may charge by the hour, or by the case. Regardless of their method, attorneys will usually charge a retainer up front, before they begin work.

Criminal Defense Attorney Fees By The Case

If you pay criminal defense attorney fees by the case, your attorney may work for a fixed amount. For instance, an attorney might charge a certain amount for drunk driving charges, and a different amount for theft charges.

There are advantages and disadvantages to this method; if your attorney resolves your case with a few phone calls, their criminal defense attorney fees will remain the same, regardless of the hours they put into your case. However, if your case takes more of their time and attention, your costs won’t go up.

Criminal Defense Attorney Fees By The Hour

Some criminal defense attorneys will charge by the hour. Your attorney will send you periodic updates on how many hours they are spending on your case, and exactly what they are doing with their time. For every hour they devote to your case, you will pay a certain amount that you and your attorney discuss beforehand.

This arrangement has the same advantages and disadvantages as paying your fees by the case, but in reverse. If your case only takes up a few hours of your attorney’s time, your costs may be relatively light. But if your case requires large amounts of time and energy, your costs go up.

Why Should I Bother With Criminal Defense Attorney Fees?

If you’re concerned about attorney’s fees, you may wonder why you should bother when there is an alternative.

If you cannot afford an attorney, the constitution guarantees you a court-appointed one. These attorneys are often just as capable as private attorneys; however, their caseloads are huge, and they may not have much time to devote to individual clients.

When it comes to criminal defense attorney fees, it’s important to remember that we’re talking about your freedom. Charging the fees that they do allows a private attorney like Christopher Stahl to focus their time and energy on getting you the best possible outcome. During your consultation, discuss fees and payments with your attorney.

Where Can I Find A Criminal Defense Attorney in Bossier City and Shreveport?

These days, finding a criminal defense attorney in Shreveport and Bossier City is easy. There are scores of defense attorneys lobbying for your attention on Google every single day. So how do you choose? After all, we’re talking about your freedom. You want the best criminal defense attorney Bossier City has.

First, you need to look at their level of experience. For instance, Mr. Stahl has handled hundreds of criminal law cases in Louisiana. Attorneys who have handled similar cases in your area in the past will develop invaluable relationships that may help them negotiate on your behalf.

Second, and most importantly, you have to meet with your criminal defense attorney. Request a consultation, be honest about your situation, and determine if this is the attorney you want by your side during the legal process.

If Louisiana courts have charged you with a crime in Bossier City or Shreveport, contact The Law Offices of Christopher Stahl in Bossier City. Mr. Stahl is a North Louisiana native, and has been practicing law in the Shreveport-Bossier City area since 2012.

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