Mentor Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are arrested for a crime, it can be a scary situation for you, especially if it is your first arrest. Regardless of whether you know you broke the law or were wrongfully arrested for a crime you did not commit; it is vital to know your rights in this situation and the value of having an experienced Mentor criminal defense lawyer on your side. The right attorney can help you reach the optimal outcome for the difficult case ahead of you.

Experienced Criminal Defense Counsel in Mentor, OH

The attorneys at the Fortress Law Group have successfully represented many serious criminal cases for clients throughout the Mentor area and surrounding communities. We respond quickly to all requests for defense representation and help our clients understand their situations as clearly as possible. We know you are likely to have many difficult questions in this situation, and we can provide the guidance you need.

Our goal for every client is acquittal or case dismissal if possible or to minimize their sentence if necessary. While no defense attorney can ever promise any client a specific outcome to their case, we can promise that if you choose our team to defend you, you can expect responsive communication, keen attention to detail, and fluent handling of any unexpected complications that arise in your criminal court proceedings.

Know Your Rights After Arrest

When you are arrested for any crime, you have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment and the right to legal counsel under the Sixth Amendment. The arresting officer should read you your Miranda rights in this situation; otherwise, this would be a violation of your constitutional rights. You should take the arresting officer seriously, comply with their instructions, and say nothing, even if you think you can explain your way out of the situation.

Anything you say could potentially be used against you in later proceedings. After arrest and booking, you will have the right to make phone calls, and you should reach out to an experienced Mentor criminal defense lawyer immediately. Your attorney can review the details of your arrest, examine the charges against you, and explain what you can expect during the next stages of your case.

Cases We Handle in Mentor

When you are looking for a Mentor criminal defense lawyer, it is crucial that you choose a defense attorney who has proven experience handling cases like yours. At the Fortress Law Group our team regularly represents clients facing:

• Drug-related charges, from simple possession to possession with intent to sell and drug trafficking.
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, one of the most commonly prosecuted crimes in the state.
• Assault and violent crimes, which can carry some of the harshest penalties upon conviction.
• Domestic violence, which may involve physical harm, threats, or harassment against a household or family member and can lead to severe criminal and civil consequences.
• Sex crimes, which can range in severity from low-level misdemeanors to high-level felonies, all of which can lead to severe penalties like sex offender registration.
• White-collar crimes, including fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, and other financial offenses that can result in significant fines and prison time.
• Gun crimes, including unlawful possession of a firearm, illegal discharge, or weapons-related offenses that may carry strict state and federal penalties.

These are just a few of the types of cases we handle for our clients in Mentor. We have the resources and experience necessary to provide compelling defense counsel in a wide range of cases, and we are ready to leverage our experience for you.

FAQs

What Is the Difference Between a Defense Attorney and a Prosecutor?

The difference between a defense attorney and a prosecutor is that a defense attorney represents the defendant being charged in court, and the prosecutor brings the charges against the defendant, effectively representing the state as the plaintiff. The prosecutor attempts to prove the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and the defense attorney counteracts this and attempts to disprove the prosecution’s case.

How Much Does a Mentor Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost to Hire?

The cost to hire a Mentor criminal defense lawyer depends on the lawyer. Every defense attorney offers a different billing policy, and some attorneys will base their billing on the unique aspects of a case. Most criminal defense attorneys bill their clients by the hour, so the more time they need to spend working on a case, the more the client pays in legal fees. Some attorneys will handle single issues for flat fees.

What Is a Plea Bargain?

A plea bargain is an agreement offered by the prosecution to the defendant. The prosecution will typically attempt to conserve court resources if they believe their case is strong enough to secure a conviction. They do this by offering a lighter penalty and/or reduced or dropped charges for the defendant in exchange for their immediate guilty plea. Your Mentor criminal defense lawyer can help determine whether a plea deal would suit your interests.

When Should I Hire a Mentor Criminal Defense Lawyer?

You should hire a Mentor criminal defense lawyer as quickly as possible after arrest and booking, even if you know you did nothing wrong. You have the right to legal counsel, and it is vital to take full advantage of that right as soon as you can after an arrest so your defense lawyer has the maximum time possible to work on your case. You should contact an experienced defense lawyer as soon as you are permitted to make your phone calls after arrest.

How Can I Avoid Going to Jail?

You can potentially avoid going to jail in several ways. If incarceration is a standard penalty for your conviction, there may be little you can do to avoid it, but you may be able to minimize the time you spend behind bars. Plea bargaining is one option, or a defendant may attempt to prove that they are mentally unfit for prison, committed a crime while they were not aware of what they were doing, or by asserting other affirmative defenses to the charges against them.

The attorneys at the Fortress Law Group have helped many past clients approach their criminal cases with greater confidence and reach much better results than they likely could have managed on their own. We know an arrest is a daunting and stressful experience, and the first steps you take in this situation can have profound effects on your future. Contact the Fortress Law Group today and schedule your consultation with a Mentor criminal defense lawyer.