If you or somebody you care about charged with a crime in Marysville, Washington, you need to know that you have rights. At Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys, our criminal defense attorneys in Marysville have extensive experience standing up for those who have been charged with misdemeanors and felonies. Here, we want to discuss your rights as a defendant who is facing criminal charges.
Your rights as a defendant after a criminal charge
The rights of those who have been charged with crimes find their bases in the US constitution and in the constitution of the state of Washington. A brief overview of the rights of a defendant in a criminal case include the following:
- The Right to Representation: As soon as you are arrested, you should be informed of your right to have an attorney present. If someone is charged with a crime and cannot afford an attorney, they have the right to legal assistance from a public defender.
- The Right to a Speedy Trial: A criminal defendant has the right to a speedy public trial, though the Constitution does not specify a time limit. Judges will decide on a case-by-case basis what constitutes a speedy trial. Many jurisdictions have outlined what constitutes a speedy trial, dependent on the charges a person is facing.
- The Right to a Public Jury Trial: Defendants also have the right to have a trial by jury and that the trial takes place in a public forum. The jury is supposed to consist of members made up of the defendant’s peers.
- The Right to Confront Witnesses: Criminal defendants have the right to confront their accuser and any witnesses to the case. This includes giving the defendant the ability to counter any testimony presented against them.
- The Right to a Reasonable Bail: In most cases, a person charged with a crime will have the right to a reasonable bail that they can pay in order to get out of jail while they await their case. Bail is supposed to be set at a reasonable amount, though this is largely discretionary. Some jurisdictions across the country have begun eliminating bail requirements.
- The Right Against Cruel and Unusual Punishment: Every criminal defendant, and those who have been convicted of crimes, have the right not to be subjected to cruel or unusual punishment. Everybody who is incarcerated, whether pre-trial or post-conviction, must be afforded basic human rights.
Let our Marysville criminal defense attorneys help
If you or somebody you love has been charged with a crime, you need to seek assistance from a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Let the team at Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys get to work on your behalf today. We will thoroughly investigate the charges against you so we can gain a solid understanding of the best path forward. Our goal will be to get the charges against you significantly reduced or dismissed altogether. When you need a criminal defense attorney in Marysville, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.
