A lawyer must show that there is evidence proving that each and every one of the components for criminal behavior actually exist. Mr. Grasso has defended criminal cases, proving beyond a reasonable doubt that unlawful tactics were used toward arrest as well as defending cases with the use of scientific evidence. Some of these cases include representing defendants who claimed entrapment by the police regarding drug trafficking, explanation of the science behind eyewitness accounts and DNA analysis. With his great knowledge in the field of law, his remarkable skills of logical reasoning, and his many years of experience in the field, Mr. Grasso can be considered the best defense attorney Las Vegas has to offer.

If you’ve been charged with an offense and need a lawyer to prepare your case, a defense attorney could help. Your attorney can serve as your guide and advocate while working to resolve your matter in a favorable fashion.

If you’re an innocent civilian under arrest for a crime, it doesn’t mean you’ll spend hard time in jail. Keeping your wits about you can prevent making a bad situation even worse.

In most cases, police will place individuals into custody in order to get to the bottom of a situation. Often, those who have been arrested are released quickly once the facts have been discovered. If you’re ever put in a situation as an innocent party, there are a few things you need to remember that can help you walk away from the incident.

The Right to Remain Silent

The Miranda Rights are put into place to protect you from implicating yourself in wrong doings. Being arrested can be extremely stressful, and you might say things that confuse the issue while implicating yourself in something you didn’t do. Often, it is better to remain silent until you’ve had a chance to speak to a lawyer.

Relax, Compose Yourself and Be Succinct

If you’re innocent, you have nothing to fear. While no one wants to be in police custody in Las Vegas, try to relax and know that things should turn out in your favor. Being as succinct in your responses as possible can help law enforcement realize that you’re innocent. This is best done with a lawyer if possible as he or she isn’t affected by the emotional stress you’re under and can answer questions on your behalf.

Your Right to An Attorney

A criminal lawyer in Las Vegas does more for you than just appear in court. He or she can represent you during questioning, giving you a focused alternative as opposed to yourself saying something that can be misconstrued or misunderstood. The lawyer is there to help you and will be the mediation between yourself and law enforcement. This can make the situation much easier to manage and get you on your way.

Going to a criminal trial as a defendant can be a stressful and exhaustive process. Your Las Vegas criminal defense will do everything to prepare you but it never hurts to do some research and arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. When you have a lot to lose you want to make sure you’re taking every possible precaution.

The first step is your arraignment. This is where the charges against you are read and you are given an opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty, the process skips directly to sentencing. If you do not, the judge will examine the type of crime and the likelihood you may be a flight risk and may or may not elect to give you bail, which is an amount of money usually put up by a bail bondsman or your family to ensure you will return for trial.

If bail is denied, you will next go to pretrial confinement at the county jail until your trial begins. If you are released on your own recognizance or on bail, it is very important you keep in touch with your attorney and your bail bondsman, if any. If you “jump” bail, whoever put up the money is liable to pay the full amount, and bail bondsmen employ bounty hunters to bring you back.

During the pretrial process, you and your attorney will consult on the best way to approach your case. This is where you will rehearse your side of the story and make sure any holes in your testimony are plugged. This is also where you will have the chance to explain away any evidence that ties you to the crime in question. More cases are lost during pretrial than at any other point, because this is where your strategy is honed or falls apart.

Your attorney is there to advise you, and it’s up to them to make sure they know the case law that supports your argument. During your trial, the prosecutor will be doing their best to make sure you pay a steep fine or spend a long time deprived of your freedom, so it’s important to have a Las Vegas attorney who knows and understands the law working for you.

A lawyer who practices in criminal defense in Las Vegas may be able to find a simple strategy to deal with the penalties that you’re facing. An attorney can file discovery motions for your case and show you the evidence that the prosecution plans on using against you. If you have a lawyer on retainer, you’ll have the chance to speak with your attorney about the relative merits of the state’s legal argument.

Protecting Your Rights

After you’ve been arrested and charged with an offense, the police may question you in an effort to gather evidence that they can use against you. When you retain an attorney, you’ll have access to legal counsel about what you should and should not say. Because you may implicate yourself without knowing, it’s best to let an attorney handle communications on your behalf.

Working for Plea Bargains

Because many cases are resolved without ever going to trial, a criminal defense lawyer in Las Vegas may find an easy way to address your charges. Your attorney can speak directly with the prosecutor and argue for your best interests. Often, defendants can reach a deal in which some of their offenses are reduced when they plead guilty to a lesser charge.

Courtroom Representation

If you have a strong case, a criminal defense attorney can present your case in front of a judge or jury. Your lawyer may prepare a strategy and file motions that are needed to support your legal position.

Don’t mislead jurors or a judge with your body language. During a jury trial, the jurors study everything. They watch every participant closely, from the lawyers, to the witnesses, the judge, and most importantly, the client. Jurors are confined to the jury box and aren’t able to speak to other jurors in the courtroom. They’re given a lot of time to people watch and observe the habits and behaviors of everyone. Behavioral nuances can be interpreted in a variety of ways, and can sometimes lead to problems for defendants. Avoid looking down and avoiding eye contact with witnesses and the jury. You also want to avoid looking too ashamed or embarrassed. Definitely avoid staring down witnesses or attempting to intimidate them in any capacity. Make sure to look at witnesses and jury members in a normal, socially acceptable capacity.

Your appearance counts and you get one shot to make a strong first impression. Defendants with a clean and neat appearance appear more respectful and professional. You need to maintain an appearance of understanding and seriousness in regards to the situation and the circumstances. Don’t overdress for court because you’ll look phony and manipulative, which leads to big losses in the credibility department. Avoid wearing dirty, sloppy, or wrinkled clothing. Instead, dress in your normal attire. Think business wear and you’ll be fine. A suit or a tie and a button up are the best options for gentlemen, a conservative dress or blazer and slacks combination for women are also strong choices.

You always want to avoid making common mistakes that can backfire and damage your case. Don’t discuss your case with anyone who isn’t your lawyer. What may seem like common sense to someone who isn’t familiar with the legal system can damage in you in the long run. Your friends and acquaintances may be concerned for your well-being, but again you want to restrict your conversations and limit the information you share. Keep all of your information between you and your Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer.

How does a federal crime differ from a state crime?

Although many crimes are prosecutable on both the federal and state level, there is still a distinction between the two. The key difference between a federal and state crime is which level of government passed the legislation that made the activity illegal. Federal crimes are in violation of laws passed by the US Congress, while state crimes are in violation of laws passed by a state of local authority.

How will federal sentencing guidelines affect my case?

If a court finds you guilty of committing a federal crime, the judge will be required to sentence you according to federal sentencing guidelines. When a sentence is handed down, there is both a minimum and maximum punishment, varying depending on a number of factors. The range of punishment a defendant is subject to can be determined by factors such as how much money was involved in the crime, how involved the defendant was, and whether or not they had committed a similar crime in the past. In many cases, judges are obligated to hand down these sentences, unless the case is particularly unusual or the defendant meets the requirements for an exception.  However, in recent years, the constitutionality of these mandatory minimums has been challenged. In some cases, judges are only required to use mandatory sentencing guidelines as a guideline.

When is an appropriate time to contact an attorney?

Many who are under investigation for federal crimes assume that they don’t need to contact an attorney until after they have been charged with a crime. It’s important to keep in mind that an attorney should be contacted immediately, as you have many rights during an investigation that need to be protected. An experienced criminal defense attorney will keep your best interests in mind, and most likely be the determining factor in how your case turns out.

How does the law determine my sentencing?

Two main factors determine the type of sentence a crime carries.

1. The type of criminal offense
2. Criminal history of the offender

A Federal District Court Judge will determine the sentencing based upon many circumstances, including the factors in 18 U.S.C. 3553(a) and the federal sentencing guidelines. One’s criminal history also plays a significant role in the judge’s sentencing procedure.

Sentencing Zones

Since 2005 and the U.S. v. Booker decision, the federal sentencing guidelines have been opened to creative lawyering and the possibility of a sentence which is less than the prosecutor is asking for. Information such as this is important and can help you to avoid prison time. The most effective Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Las Vegas locals and visitors have come to trust and respect can help you with the best strategy for decreasing your sentence.

The top federal criminal defense attorney in Las Vegas

As lead council in a number of federal jury trials in federal districts across the nation, Mr. Grasso has experience in a wide range of federal charges. For over 30 years Mr. Grasso has been helping people like you get the fair trial and high quality representation they deserve.

Having the right federal criminal defense attorney is crucial especially after the 2005 “Booker” decision gave federal trial judges more sentencing discretion. Let Mr. Grasso take advantage of these changes to the law and try to get you the lowest sentence possible.