1. What are the consequences if I am convicted of a criminal offense?

Answer: If you are convicted of a criminal offense, you will have a criminal record, either a felony or misdemeanor.

You could be sentenced to serve time in jail, for misdemeanor up to a year; for felonies, depending on the felony, either credit for time served, or longer, and you could be placed on probation, fines could be imposed in either case.

2. How will a criminal conviction affect me?

Answer: a criminal conviction may have serious consequences in your future. It could affect your employment, education, immigration/citizenship status, etc...

3. If I do not have money to hire a private attorney, who will defend me in court against these criminal charges?

Answer: If you are indigent, you have a constitutional right to court appointed counsel in cases where you could be punished by incarceration. You will be assigned to a public defender to defend you. You may have to reimburse the government the cost of your attorney.

4. How can I choose the right lawyer to represent me?

Answer: The best way to select the lawyer to assist you in your case is to consult with a licensed and experienced defense attorney

Ask prospective attorneys how long they have been practicing criminal defense, how many cases they have tried, what were the results, are they licensed to practice in state and federal courts, will they give you a free consultation, have they handled cases similar to yours, and do they have a retainer agreement in your native language?

5. What are my Constitutional Rights when a charge is filed against me?