If you’ve been arrested and are reasonably sure that you’re guilty of the crime, you may feel a sense of hopelessness and discouragement. After all, with mounting evidence against you, it may seem there is not much you can do to avoid the consequences associated with an inevitable conviction. On the contrary, there are several different ways to fight criminal charges. Even if you can’t completely circumvent the penalties, an experienced criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you alleviate some immediate and long-term effects after your arrest.

In general, just because you were arrested does not mean that you will be convicted and face the full extent of the law. No matter how guilty you may think you appear, the state still must have enough evidence to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a standard of proof that’s much higher than many defendants realize. Hiring a criminal defense attorney who may also be able to negotiate a reduced sentence may be in your best interest.

How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help You Even If You’re Guilty

Here are five ways an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you if you’re facing criminal charges in Pennsylvania:

Determining Whether You’re Actually Guilty

Even if the police catch you in the act of the crime, there still may be reason for optimism. For instance, some perceived criminals aren’t actually breaking the law, despite what they thought at the time of the act. Likewise, even if they did something illegal, they may not be guilty of the specific crime with which they have been charged.

Securing Pretrial Release

Despite your guilt, you’ll want to spend the least amount of time in jail as possible. A criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you obtain bail or even secure your release without bail on your own recognizance, with a sign on bond, or on special conditions.

Seeking Entry into a Diversion Program

If this is your first time facing a conviction for the crime in question, you may be eligible for a diversion program rather than facing other statutory penalties like incarceration and fines. A diversion program—sometimes referred to as a pretrial diversion program or pretrial intervention program—is a form of sentencing in which a criminal offender joins a rehabilitation program to help remedy the behavior leading to the original arrest, allow the offender to avoid conviction, and in some jurisdictions, dodge a criminal record.

Negotiating a Plea Deal

Another option is negotiating a plea deal, which is an agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty or “no contest” in exchange for the prosecutor dropping one or more charges, reducing a charge to a less serious offense, or recommending a specific sentence to the judge.

Keeping You Out of Prison

If you are guilty of a crime, there are some instances in which it will be impossible for you or a criminal defense lawyer to evade the consequences associated with a conviction. However, your lawyer may still be about to keep you out of prison in favor of other less severe penalties.

Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer in Montgomery County

Whether you believe you are guilty or not, you’re entitled to a fair trial and an attorney who will represent your best interests. If you’ve been arrested for a criminal offense, the Pennsylvania criminal defense attorneys at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford can help. Our firm will discuss with you the circumstances surrounding your case, and together, we’ll put our best foot forward to reduce or completely vacate penalties associated with the crime. Our well-versed legal team understands the ins and outs of Montgomery County criminal defense law and will be by your side every step of the way.

For more than 65 years, our attorneys have been serving clients’ legal needs in Montgomery County, Bucks County, Lehigh County, Chester County, Delaware County, and throughout the surrounding areas. We’ve earned the trust and respect of clients facing a wide range of legal problems. Our attorneys serve to protect you and guard your rights. Give us a call at (215) 822-7575 or complete our online contact form today.