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13Feb 2020

If I'm Charged With A Crime, Can I Get The Case Resolved Quickly?

Many people think that if they are charged with a crime (that is not 
murder or the like) and have no previous record, they can waltz into 
court, promise to be a good citizen and walk out with a wrist slap. This 
is definitely not true. If you are charged with a crime there are 
several steps that your court journey will require you to make.

First of all, you will have to make a first appearance to be arraigned. 
After that, you will have a date set where you (and your attorney, since 
you are smart and know you can't do this alone) will be giving the 
evidence against you that the prosecution has. At this time you will 
usually also be given a plea offer from the prosecution. This is a 
statement indicating what the prosecution wants as punishment should you 
change your plea to guilty and avoid a trial.

Each of these steps can be a month or more apart. It can take on average 
around seven months to either plea a case or start a trial. If you are 
charged with a crime, you are facing a long journey where you need 
accurate and experienced defense to guide you through the steps and 
fight for your rights. If you live in Burlington, Essex, Colchester, 
Winooski, Williston, Shelburne or anywhere in the state of Vermont, 
and have been arrested or charged with DUI or any crime, call Handy Law 
for aggressive and experienced legal defense.