Boise, Idaho, is a safe city by national standards, with crime rates much lower than the average. Despite this, thousands of people are charged with a crime every year here or in the surrounding area. If you’re facing criminal charges in Boise, it’s vital to mount the most vigorous defense you can.
Whether you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor assault or a major felony like a homicide, you need the help of a skilled criminal defense attorney to fight the charges against you effectively. Your defense attorney must be knowledgeable and experienced, but it’s also important to choose one who is honest and transparent.
Attorneys of Idaho is a law firm dedicated to defending people facing criminal charges in Boise and around the Gem State. We understand that the charges against you do not define you, and we treat every client with the same kindness and respect. Our lawyers will help you understand the charges against you and the potential penalties you may face; you can always count on us to provide you with the truth.
If you’re facing criminal charges, you need the help of a trustworthy Boise criminal lawyer. Contact Attorneys of Idaho for your free, confidential consultation today.
Why Choose Attorneys of Idaho?
Our law firm is known throughout the Gem State for quality service and legal excellence. This is evident from over 400 five-star reviews our clients have given us. Most Idaho law firms assign a single attorney to a single case, but we prefer a collaborative, team-based approach. We harness the strengths of all our team members to achieve the best results. Our practice has lawyers who handle felonies, attorneys who handle misdemeanors, and an entire criminal law research team.
Our law firm employs an approach to criminal defense that clarifies your expectations early, ensuring we can exceed them. We will do everything in our power to assist you in overcoming these charges. Our success comes from our combination of compassion and winning results, as our motto attests:
We believe that a good criminal defense firm should be big enough to fight but small enough to care. Each of our lawyers and legal support staff members is courteous and empathetic toward both our clients and our community. If you’re looking for a Boise criminal defense attorney who is simultaneously qualified, reputable, and caring, reach out to us today and discover the difference we can make for your case.
How a Criminal Attorney in Boise Can Help You
What can a criminal defense firm do to help you defend against the charges you face? At Attorneys of Idaho, we can help you in the following ways:
- Analyzing your case and selecting potential defense strategies
- Providing knowledgeable legal counsel
- Determining the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution’s case
- Protecting your legal rights in the criminal justice system
- Negotiating with prosecutors to get charges reduced or agree on a favorable plea bargain
- Representing you in court if the case goes to trial
- Cross-examining witnesses against you
- Presenting evidence of your innocence
- Always keeping your best interests at the forefront throughout the process
When you hire a skilled Boise criminal defense lawyer, you hire someone who will fight for you and your future. Reach out to us today to schedule your free, no-obligation case review.
Why You Need a Lawyer When Facing Criminal Charges
The criminal justice system is adversarial. When you’re charged with a crime, the prosecutor will seek to prove you guilty and impose potentially harsh penalties. Without a skilled and experienced lawyer, you’re largely at the mercy of the state of Idaho.
With the help of a lawyer, you’ll have the assistance of someone who knows the law and how to find the weaknesses in the evidence against you. Even if you are eventually convicted, your lawyer can reduce the chances that you will face the most severe penalties for the crime.
When a criminal conviction can result in losing your freedom, you should never face criminal charges without a lawyer’s help. Get in touch with Attorneys of Idaho today to discover what we can do to protect your rights and defend you aggressively against the prosecution.
Types of Criminal Cases We Handle
Criminal cases we handle include the following:
- Homicide
- DUI
- Drug crimes
- Assault/domestic violence
- Theft
- White collar crimes
- Sex crimes
- Driver’s license suspension
- Drug distribution or manufacturing
- Post-conviction expungement
Whatever crime you’re accused of, our lawyers are here to help. Contact us today to speak with a reputable criminal law attorney in Boise.
What Steps Should You Take If You Have Been Arrested
If you’re arrested and charged with a crime in Boise, Idaho, your actions immediately after the arrest can influence whether you get convicted. Answering questions or consenting to a search without consulting an attorney can significantly worsen your situation. Knowing how to handle an arrest ahead of time can help.
You should take the following steps if you’re arrested in Boise:
- Tell the arresting officer you wish to remain silent until your attorney arrives. This is your Constitutional right. The police cannot force you to answer questions without your lawyer.
- Inform the officers that you wish to speak with your lawyer immediately.
- Don’t answer any questions except your name, address, and date of birth until your lawyer arrives.
- Cooperate with the police as they fingerprint, photograph, and process your booking.
- Ask for your phone call. The police are obligated to allow you one local call. If you talk to your lawyer, the police cannot listen in.
- Don’t sign any documents you don’t understand until your lawyer has had a chance to review them.
- Don’t discuss your case with anyone at the jail or police station. Anything you tell your cellmate can be used against you in court.
- Meet your attorney to discuss your case and your options. The court will appoint an attorney if you cannot afford one, but you should hire the best defense attorney you can find.
Penalties You Could Face for Criminal Convictions in Boise
If you’re convicted of a misdemeanor in Idaho, penalties include the following:
- Up to six months in county jail
- A fine of up to $1000
Some misdemeanor charges have additional penalties.
The following are basic penalties for a felony in Idaho:
- Up to five years in prison
- A fine of up to $50,000
Many felonies have their own specific penalties, such as the following:
- Penalties for homicide include 10 years in prison, life in prison, or the death sentence.
- Penalties for a felony DUI include up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5000.
- Penalties for felony drug crimes include fines and imprisonment, depending on the drug and the specific charge.
- Penalties for felony domestic battery include up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Penalties for felony sex crimes vary depending on the charge and the circumstances of the case. For instance, the penalty for rape can be anywhere from one year to life in prison.
Potential Defenses to Charges You Are Facing
Potential defenses to criminal charges in Idaho depend on the case, such as the following examples:
- Mistaken Identity – Your attorney can argue that witnesses misidentified you.
- Alibi – You can present evidence that you were elsewhere when the crime occurred.
- Reasonable Doubt – The prosecution must prove the charges against you beyond a reasonable doubt, so your attorney can win an acquittal by raising doubt in the jurors’ minds.
- Self-Defense – If you’re accused of a violent crime like battery or homicide, you might be able to beat the charges if your lawyer can show that you were acting to protect yourself from an attack.
- Lack of Intent – Some crimes require a specific intent for a conviction. For instance, you can’t be convicted of first-degree murder in Idaho unless the killing was premeditated. If your attorney can show that you did not have the intent to kill anyone ahead of time, you cannot be convicted on that charge.
Your attorney can also use a strategy based on challenging the evidence against you. For example, if the police searched your property without a warrant or probable cause, any evidence collected is inadmissible in court. Your criminal defense lawyer can file a motion to suppress that evidence, leaving the prosecution with no evidence to support their charges.
Acquittal is the best outcome possible for the defendant in any criminal case. However, in cases where acquittal is unrealistic, your attorney can still help. If your criminal defense lawyer can weaken the case against you in any way, the prosecutor may be willing to reduce the charges against you or agree to lesser penalties in exchange for a plea.
Whatever your situation, it’s always a good idea to hire the best criminal defense attorney you can find when facing criminal charges in Boise, Idaho.
Contact a Boise Criminal Defense Attorney Today
Being charged with a crime is a frightening and stressful experience. No one wants their life disrupted, their reputation destroyed, or their freedom compromised. If you’ve been charged with a crime in Boise, Attorneys of Idaho is here to help. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation, confidential consultation.
