We all know how trials work on TV and in the movies. The prosecution and the defense make their opening statements, question some witnesses and then after a few closing remarks the jury renders a verdict. On a show like Law & Order, the whole thing might take half an hour or less.
And even though we all know intellectually that drama can’t be complete accurate, it can set up certain expectations when we find ourselves in a new situation. For example, on TV suspects are read their Miranda rights as soon as they’re arrested, but in real life police don’t have to inform you of your rights until they intend to question you.
Criminal proceedings are a lengthy and often contentious process. First there’s the arraignment, where the defendant enters a plea. And you might think that then the trial could start.
Unfortunately there are any number of issues that need to resolved before that can happen. In some ways, pretrial hearings can be more important than the trial itself. These provide the defense with an opportunity to ensure that certain pieces of evidence are not presented at trial either because they are prejudicial or because they were obtained illegally.
There’s also the issue of scheduling. Judges, prosecutors, and attorneys often have very busy schedules and it is very rare that they are working on only one case at a time, especially in Southern California. Even once a schedule is in place, unforeseen factors can cause delays.
It’s not just that most people don’t have the training and experience necessary to navigate the legal system, most of them don’t have the patience or the time. Which is why it is so crucial to have a criminal defense attorney on your side.
The sheer difficulty of successfully defending yourself in criminal court is why someone who represents him or herself is said to have a fool for a client.
I went to law school and opened up my practice so that I could help people. You never know how difficult and frightening it is to be suspected of a crime until it happens to you or to someone you care about. Add in the stress of being investigated and prosecuted and the whole ordeal can become a kind of waking nightmare.
Now, I can’t make it all go away, but I can help you manage your legal problems while you work to keep the rest of your life in order. As your attorney my job is to look out for your interests in court proceedings and advise you on how best to deal with law enforcement and prosecutors.
Once I’ve been hired, I never give up on my clients. From advising you on your plea, through any evidentiary hearings and pretrial motions, and of course at trial, I’ll stand up for your rights and protect your best interests.
Over the years I’ve grown my practice to include offices in Irvine, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, and Garden Grove in order to better serve Southern California’s diverse local communities and be closer to state and falderal court districts.
I am proud of my record of having the charges against my clients reduced or dismissed while maintaing the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. So if you need help fighting any criminal charge in LA, Riverside, San Diego, or Orange County, call the Law Office of Michael L. Guisti at (714) 707-2797 for a free consultation.
