In addition to exposing weakness in the prosecution’s case, we can introduce strong evidence that helps prove your innocence. That often includes eyewitness testimony, expert testimony, and physical and digital evidence. Let us get started on this right after an arrest so we have the most time to prepare your defense before trial.
Whether you or your child have been arrested, call our lawyers. We help juvenile and adult defendants navigate trials in Northampton. It helps your case not to talk to the police. If you do, tell our lawyers what you said to law enforcement. Whether you are facing federal or state criminal charges, we can prepare a strong defense for you.
Call (215) 423-5500 for a free and confidential case assessment from Kenny, Burns & McGill’s criminal defense lawyers.
What Evidence Helps My Criminal Defense in Northampton?
After the prosecution rests their case, we can present yours. We can show the jury why the prosecution’s argument is flawed, provide jurors with alternate explanations, and prove the defendant’s innocence.
Eyewitness Testimony
An eyewitness may confirm that you were not the offender, even if the alleged victim previously identified you. Eyewitnesses may testify about the actual offender’s appearance, creating reasonable doubt for the jury.
Other witnesses may place you elsewhere, far from the crime scene. If you have an alibi, give it to our attorneys immediately. A witness who can testify and corroborate your alibi is crucial evidence for your case.
Physical Evidence
The prosecution lacking physical evidence tying to you a crime helps your defense. Furthermore, any “exculpatory” physical evidence also helps. Exculpatory evidence is any that effectively shows your innocence.
For example, if there is DNA at the scene that is not yours, that might be exculpatory. Our criminal defense lawyers can point that out to the jury during a trial, explaining how that proves your innocence.
Expert Testimony
During trials for rape, murder, assault, or other violent charges, prosecutors might make accusations about a defendant’s mental stability or aggression.
Mental health experts may assess you before the trial and testify about their findings in court. Such expert testimony also aids insanity defenses in Northampton.
Your case’s facts dictate which experts we will bring on to help it, such as forensic experts to review physical evidence.
Digital Evidence
We may also use digital evidence during our defense. Text messages between the defendant and the alleged victim, social media posts, and emails contribute to our case. Your car or phone’s GPS data might confirm your alibi, making it crucial evidence.
What if My Child is Arrested and Charged in Northampton?
If your child is arrested as a juvenile, contact our attorneys immediately. We can advocate for them and explain what comes next.
Common Juvenile Charges
Common juvenile offenses in Northampton include underage drinking, assault, theft, and drug offenses. Most likely, your child’s case will be held in juvenile court, which focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment. In Pennsylvania, juveniles are not “convicted” when found guilty, but instead become “adjudicated delinquents.”
When Juveniles Are charged as Adults
According to 42 Pa.C.S. § 6355, a defendant as young as 14 may be charged as an adult for a particularly violent or sophisticated offense. If that happens, your child may face the same consequences as an adult defendant.
Contact us quickly, and we may be able to keep your child’s case in juvenile court. If the judge agrees to move your case and try your child as an adult, we can prepare their defense for trial.
We help juvenile defendants and their families navigate the complicated criminal justice system and ensure one childhood mistake or misunderstanding does not affect the rest of their lives.
What if I Talked to the Police without My Criminal Defense Attorney in Northampton?
You should not talk to the police at all after an arrest. Do not answer officers’ questions or respond to their prompts; just ask for our lawyers. We understand that getting arrested is distressing, and some people may have unexpected responses.
Statements Made Before You Asked for an Attorney
Tell us everything you said to the police, even if you only asked them why you were being arrested. Anything you say before you ask for a lawyer may be admissible in court. Prosecutors might try to twist questions or responses, so try to stay calm and pay attention to police officers’ actions.
Statements Made After You Asked for an Attorney
Even if you willingly spoke to the police without counsel, you can ask for an attorney at any time. If you do, they must stop questioning you until we arrive. If they do not, tell us right away. Anything you say to the police once you have told them you want an attorney should be inadmissible.
How Do Federal Charges Differ from State Charges?
When the state charges you with a crime, it is because you allegedly violated a state law. When the federal government charges you, it is because you allegedly violated federal law or crossed state lines while allegedly committing a crime.
When Federal Charges Are Filed
If an alleged drug trafficking operation crosses state lines, federal drug trafficking charges may be filed against defendants. Trafficking very large quantities of illegal drugs, might also end in federal charges.
Kidnapping, murder, and money laundering can also be charged at the federal level in certain circumstances.
Sentencing and Prisons
When convicted of state charges, defendants are sent to state prisons. When convicted of federal charges, they are sent to federal prisons, which could be far away from any loved ones.
Federal charges sometimes lead to longer convictions, too. Whether you are charged at the federal or state level, we can prepare your defense for trial.
Call Us in Northampton About Your Criminal Case Today
Call (215) 423-5500 for help with your case from our criminal defense lawyers at Kenny, Burns & McGill.
