Although some criminal defendants think that they can beat the system on their own, having an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side gives you a better chance of preserving your legal rights. If you have been charged with a crime, contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Have you been arrested for a federal crime in Virginia?
Penalties for a conviction could consume the rest of your life. Trust your freedoms and future to a truly experienced criminal defense team in Fairfax.
Our attorneys protect your rights from start to finish of your violent crime, drug crime or sex crime case. We have more than 50 years of combined experience with criminal cases in state and federal courts.
Contact us to arrange a free consultation. If you are at a police station or in jail, we can come to you. Call Keats & Meleen, P.L.C., now at 703-763-4536.
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A conviction for a serious crime could mean years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines and enforced separation from your family.
Don't let this happen to you. Act now. Protect your rights. Contact our Keats & Meleen criminal defense team for the experienced, aggressive defense representation you need.
Call 703-763-4536, or you can e-mail us.
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Constitutional Protections for the Criminal Defendant
The United States Constitution and its subsequent amendments define the scope of governmental power and reserve certain individual rights to the people. The first 10 amendments, also called the Bill of Rights, contain basic, fundamental rights of individuals on which the government may not impinge. Many of these constitutional rights provide protection to criminal defendants in the criminal-justice system. The 14th Amendment extends substantive due-process rights beyond the federal system to criminal defendants in state courts, where the vast majority of criminal trials occur.
The basic constitutional rights of the criminal defendant permeate almost every aspect of the criminal-justice process. If you have been accused of a crime, whether federal, state, tribal or local, a criminal defense attorney from Keats & Meleen, P.L.C. in Fairfax, Virginia, can explain these rights to you and help you to fight for them at every step of the way.
Fundamental Rights
Here are the main federal constitutional rights guaranteed to criminal defendants in the United States to promote fair trials. Remember that these rights have been refined and interpreted by the courts, and a lawyer can advise you about each right's role in and application to your particular case.
- The right to due process of law
- The right to equal protection under the law
- The right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure
- The right against self-incrimination or being forced to testify against oneself
- The right against double jeopardy or being tried more than once for the same offense
- The right to legal counsel
- The right to a speedy, public trial
- The right to an impartial jury trial
- The right to confront witnesses against you
- The right to call supporting witnesses
- The right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment
- The prohibition against ex post facto laws or laws that retroactively criminalize certain acts or retroactively increase criminal sanctions
- The right to be free from excessive fines or excessive bail
- The right to clear notice of criminal charges
- The right to a grand jury in federal felony proceedings
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Our criminal justice system is designed through constitutional protections to provide a criminal defendant with a fair trial. If you face any phase of the process, consult an experienced attorney at Keats & Meleen, P.L.C. in Fairfax, Virginia, as early as possible to enlist an important ally in your quest to protect your legal and constitutional rights.
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