What happens after your arrest depends in part on whether you are charged with a felony or a misdemeanor. In either case, you will be arraigned soon after your arrest, and given a chance to plead “guilty,” “not guilty,” or “no contest” to the charges.
There are two ways that a felony can be charged. For some felonies, a “probable cause” hearing will be held within a “reasonable time” after the arraignment: 10 days if you are in jail, and 30 days if you have been released. Criminal defendants can decide to waive a probable cause hearing.
At a probable cause, or PC hearing, the state has to show that there is probable cause to believe you committed the offense in order to move forward with their case. Criminal defense lawyers Amy Beaton and Larissa Kiers have handled numerous New Hampshire probable cause hearings. They know when it is to their clients’ advantage to waive a PC hearing or proceed; if they go forward with the hearing, they have an excellent track record countering the state’s assertion that there is probable cause to move forward.
For certain other types of felonies, such as capital offenses and other serious crimes, a grand jury makes the decision whether to move forward with a case; this is called charging by direct indictment. Amy and Larissa have decades of experience representing clients in these serious felony cases as well.
You should hire criminal defense lawyers as soon as you are arrested, or, if possible, as soon as you think you might be arrested. An experienced local attorney will not only understand the legal process and be able to prepare you, but will help prevent you from accidentally doing or saying something that could harm your defense. An attorney will evaluate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and stand up for your rights. The longer you wait to hire an experienced attorney, the greater the chances that you could inadvertently jeopardize your case.
Attorney fees will vary based on the seriousness and complexity of the crime charged. At Beaton & Kiers, we offer flat fees whenever possible so our clients will have clarity about their legal expenses.
The reality is that not having criminal defense lawyers can cost you a lot more than hiring one. A conviction could cost you your freedom, not to mention eligibility for certain jobs, even your ability to travel outside the country.
Whenever possible, it’s best to look for a criminal defense lawyer with lots of experience, preferably experience in the court system where you are charged. There’s also a personal component to hiring a criminal defense lawyer; this person is going to be guiding you through a very challenging time. You should hire someone with whom you feel comfortable, who listens to you, and whom you trust to fight for your rights.
As you can imagine, the cost of estate planning depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of the assets in the estate. In general, though, will-based estate plans are less expensive than trust-based plans. At Beaton & Kiers, we use the initial consultation to evaluate your unique needs, after which we can quote you a flat fee for your planning so you’ll have certainty about your legal costs. Estate planning is an investment, but most people are pleasantly surprised to learn how reasonable a customized estate plan is.
All adults need an estate plan, regardless of the size of their estate or their family relationships. Even young adults without many assets need, at a minimum, powers of attorney and advance directives to allow a trusted person to make decisions for them in case they become incapacitated. Of course, it’s also important for families with young children and people with significant assets or complicated family relationships to have an estate plan.
Whether you need a will or a trust (or both) depends on your circumstances. If you want to avoid probate, a trust will achieve that, but a will does not. If you are leaving property to minor children, a trust allows you to appoint someone to manage their inherited assets until they are adults and mature enough to do so. There are many different types of trusts for specific purposes such as tax planning or special needs planning. While trusts do have many advantages, not everyone needs one, so consult with an estate planning attorney about what’s right for you.
An elder law attorney focuses on areas of the law that affect older people, such as estate planning, long-term care planning, Medicaid planning, and guardianship and conservatorship.
You should consult with an elder law attorney if you want to plan ahead for your own needs as you age, such as putting in place powers of attorney and advance directives in the event you become unable to manage your own affairs. An elder law attorney can also help when an older family member becomes legally incapacitated, needs to enter a nursing home on an urgent basis, or has been the victim of elder abuse or financial exploitation.
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