You don’t need to hire a criminal defense attorney unless you’ve been arrested, right? Wrong. A lot can happen before you’re taken into custody or formally charged with a crime. Police officers can use the pre-charging phase to gather evidence against you and talk you into waiving certain rights.
Don’t leave yourself vulnerable. You should hire a lawyer as soon as you find out you’re being investigated for any crime.
Jasti, Zehawi & Johnson, LLC provides dependable pre-charging representation in Wisconsin. Our team serves clients who are under investigation for a wide range of criminal offenses, including battery, domestic violence, drug charges, operating while intoxicated (OWI), and federal crimes. We’re here for you in your time of need.
Pre-charging representation is legal counsel provided to individuals who are under investigation but have not yet been charged with a crime. You should take any pending criminal investigation seriously, even if you haven’t been arrested or don’t think the police have enough evidence to move forward with the case.
The pre-charging stage is a critical time to gather evidence to avoid an arrest. It’s also important to exercise your rights in accordance with an attorney’s recommendations. This may include declining interviews with police and refusing to allow law enforcement to search your property.
A skilled attorney from Jasti, Zehawi & Johnson, LLC will protect your rights during these interactions and help you work toward a favorable resolution.
You might be tempted to wait until you’re formally charged before seeking legal help. However, the “wait and see” approach can put you at a significant disadvantage.
The entities investigating you have a vast amount of people and resources devoted to uncovering evidence against you. You need someone in your corner to help you protect your rights and prevent the worst outcomes.
The services of a knowledgeable pre-charging attorney can be highly valuable during the earliest stages of a case. Our team will work to accomplish the following goals:
Law enforcement agencies are trained to gather evidence that supports their case. They may try to question you or ask you to search your property. Without legal representation, you might unknowingly waive your rights or provide information that could be used against you.
Your lawyer will communicate with law enforcement on your behalf. They’ll do their best to stay apprised of the status of the investigation and take whatever action is necessary at the appropriate time.
The sooner you get an attorney on your side, the more time they’ll have to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and develop a strong defense strategy.
Our team will thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding your case. In some instances, we may be able to help you avoid criminal charges altogether by collecting exonerating evidence.
Law enforcement agencies won’t keep you in the loop during their investigation. Therefore, you won’t know that they’ve decided to file charges against you until it’s too late.
An attorney can alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty associated with the pre-charging phase. Our legal professionals can provide clarity on the legal process and what it entails at different stages.
The pre-charging phase typically involves several steps. Here’s an overview of some of the key stages:
Law enforcement personnel will gather evidence and determine whether they have enough to charge you with a crime. They may interview witnesses, collect physical evidence, and conduct searches. It’s crucial that you avoid speaking with investigators without your attorney present.
In some cases, the prosecution may present evidence to a grand jury, which will decide whether to indict you. Grand jury proceedings are rare in Wisconsin, but they’re nonetheless worth considering. A Wisconsin grand jury consists of 17 jurors and is meant to be kept secret from the public until the proceedings have concluded.
You could also face a grand jury in federal cases. Grand juries are more common at the federal level, as they’re often required before a defendant can be made to stand trial in federal court. A federal grand jury may consist of 16–23 members.
If the prosecution decides that there’s enough evidence to justify filing charges, they may offer a plea deal before formally initiating the process. Your attorney can evaluate whether accepting a plea deal is in your best interests or whether you should continue fighting the allegations.
After gathering evidence, the prosecution will decide whether to file charges. If they do and you seek pre-charging representation, your attorney will already be familiar with your case and can hit the ground running to mount an effective defense.
As a client of Jasti, Zehawi & Johnson, LLC, you’ll benefit from our fierce defense strategies and unwavering commitment to your case.
We can assist with everything from securing bonds to negotiating down harsh sentences. The sooner you hire one of our attorneys, the better equipped we’ll be to represent you.
Our lawyers provide pre-charging representation for an array of criminal cases, including the following:
If you’ve been accused of battery or domestic violence, it’s important to seek pre-charging representation right away.
These types of cases can have severe consequences that go beyond criminal charges, including restraining orders, loss of custody rights, and damage to your reputation. We understand the complexities of these cases and will work tirelessly to protect your rights.
There are many moving parts involved in any investigation that deals with illicit substances, including search-and-seizure laws and the handling of evidence. If you’re being investigated for a drug-related offense, our legal team can help ensure that you’re treated fairly.
An OWI investigation can be invasive and intimidating. Our attorneys have much experience overseeing these cases and can challenge the evidence against you to potentially reduce your charges or have them dismissed.
Federal investigations are particularly serious. Law enforcement agencies at the federal level have access to sophisticated tactics and extensive resources. If you’re under investigation by a federal agency, seek pre-charging representation as soon as possible. Our attorneys know how to handle these complex cases.
Sex crime allegations can be devastating on every conceivable level. Our attorneys approach these cases with sensitivity and tact. We’ll aim to uncover the truth and help you mitigate the social stigma associated with false allegations.
Jasti, Zehawi & Johnson, LLC offers personalized guidance during the pre-charging phase of criminal investigations. Early intervention gives us more opportunity to build a strong defense on your behalf and ensure that law enforcement doesn’t violate your rights. We’ll develop a tailored legal strategy based on the specifics of your case.
If you think you might be charged with a crime or are currently under investigation by law enforcement, it’s essential to seek competent legal representation as soon as possible.
Jasti, Zehawi & Johnson, LLC will fight to uphold your rights and mitigate the impacts of any pending criminal charges against you. Our veteran team can size up the prosecution’s case and help you figure out what steps to take next.
Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation and begin building your defense.
