Criminal Defense Attorney
William Francis is a criminal defense attorney in Medford, Oregon, specializing in the representation and defense of persons accused of felonies and misdemeanors.
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Contact a Criminal Defense AttorneyIf you have been arrested or charged with a felony or misdemeanor offense in Southern Oregon, you should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Here’s why.
The police have certain legal responsibilities. For example, the police are required to advise you of your rights if you are questioned while in custody. They are required to stop asking questions if you invoke your right to speak to a lawyer. There are many strict rules the police have to follow in any criminal investigation. A lawyer will know whether or not the police have followed the rules. A criminal defense attorney can look for weaknesses in the state's case and can have evidence thrown out if your rights have been violated. |
Contact an attorney before you talk to a judge.
Find the answers to your first questions.
Know your rights, your defenses, and your options.
Get Answers to Your First Questions
Everyone who is charged with a crime asks: Am I going to jail? Get answers. Call a lawyer.
Don't Plead Guilty at Your First Appearance
It's normal for anyone to feel remorse, confusion, and embarrassment after being charged with a crime.
But it's a mistake to go to court and plead guilty at your first court appearance. The criminal justice system encourages people who have no experience in the law to make mistakes. Nice people are usually at a severe disadvantage. It makes sense to talk to a criminal defense specialist with experience defending persons who have been charged with crimes. Knowing what will happen and what your choices are could relieve a lot of stress and anxiety. Don't rush into the courtroom in a hurry to surrender your rights. |
Let Your Attorney Talk to the Judge
Let your attorney represent you in court and talk to the judge on your behalf.
It's a mistake to go to your first court appearance alone. It's a mistake to think you will be given a chance to convince the judge that the prosecutor that the police are wrong. In this situation, it's likely a judge will tell you to stop talking because you could incriminate yourself. If you're explaining, you're losing. You first appearance is procedural in nature. This is not the time to ask for your case to be dismissed. You will not be given the opportunity to testify at your first appearance. A judge would also tell you that a lawyer has the experience and training to advocate for you and to identify legal issues that may not be apparent to persons who are not lawyers. Tell the judge you want to talk to a lawyer. Then stop talking. |