Criminal Defense
Are you a suspect or person of interest in a crime? Never face the prosecutor alone or agree to a deal without speaking with criminal defense attorney. Contact us for a free consultation today.
Have you been charged with a crime in Connecticut? Are you overwhelmed by the potential of heavy fines, court appearances, jail or prison time? The stress after an arrest is beyond overwhelming and worse yet, a conviction on your permanent record will alter your life. Do not let the stress of the unknown to consume you, instead, contact our Connecticut criminal defense attorneys at Zingaro, Cretella & Rasile Law.
Our experienced attorneys will educate you on the facts about your charges and aggressively fight to ensure you get the best outcome available for your case. Our Connecticut criminal defense lawyers have a strong reputation in CT Courts so you can feel confident you have superior representation. Our goal at Zingaro, Cretella & Rasile Law is to protect each of our clients’ and fight for your rights for the full duration of the case.
At Zingaro, Cretella & Rasile Law, our criminal defense attorneys in New Haven, CT and Newtown CT are known for more than our aggressive reputation. We provide experience, professionalism, and the best results. Whether you have been arrested, charged with a crime, are under investigation, or are have concerns of a warrant, our Connecticut criminal defense attorneys will minimize your stress and provide you with legal facts of the best possible outcome.
- Investigation, 2. Arrest, 3. Bail, 4. Arraignment, 5. Pre-Trial, 6. Trial, 7. Sentencing when Necessary
A booking is the process where information about a suspect is entered into the police station/jail system after the suspects arrest. Personal belongings are held until the suspect’s release aside from any alleged illegal items or evidence associated with the alleged crime.
An arraignment is often the first stage of the criminal procedure that occurs in court before a judge or magistrate. The purpose of an arraignment is to provide the accused with a reading of the alleged crime he or she is being charged with. The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects against authorities holding anyone accused in custody for an extended period of time without being arraigned. An arraignment often occurs within 72 hours of the initial arrest. This is put in place to protect your constitutional rights to a speedy trial.
Bail is the collateral held by the courts to allow you to leave jail in return for you to return for your hearings and promise of not leaving the state or country.
Severe crimes have higher bail charges than lesser crimes. Upon appearing at your scheduled hearings, you will get your bail money or property back at the end of the case.
Regardless of the outcome; guilty or not guilty, you will get your money or property back. However, there are court administrative fees for holding your bail that you will not get back.
Important, if you do not show up for scheduled hearings, leave the state or country, you will not get your bail money back and a new warrant for arrest will be issued.
If a plea deal is not reach, you will either have a bench trial where a judge decides your case or a jury trial where your case is decided before a jury of six to twelve people. Both sides have a chance to provide opening arguments, present evidence, call witnesses, cross examine witnesses and present closing arguments. It is your constitutional right (which cannot be used against you) whether or not you decide to offer your testimony.
Upon conclusion of closing arguments, the jury will deliberate and attempt to make a unanimous decision. Trials vary in length and all depend on the evidence presented and jury deliberations about your guilt or innocence.
In general, a defendant enters the sentencing phase if he or she has been found guilty during trial or pleads guilty. Sentencing determines how the convicted party will be punished and the penalties range from fines, jail, prison or alternative state programs.
This phase can be just as important as the actual trail. There are many rules to understand and decisions are critical to the outcome.
Probation allows a person convicted of a crime the ability to remain in the community versus going to jail. Probation requires strict compliance to certain court-ordered rules as well as conditions under supervision of a probation officer. Conditions may include; community service, meetings with the probation officer, drug testing, avoiding certain people and appearing in court at requested times.