The timely resolution of criminal charges calls for an attorney who has experience defending clients and is dedicated to providing personal service. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with a criminal defense attorney.
Answers to Your Criminal Law Questions
If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you want to know more about the charges you face and the potential consequences. I am criminal defense attorney Michael V. Worgul, and from my offices in Pittsburgh, I am ready to answer your questions and help you explore your options. I protect the rights of individuals throughout western Pennsylvania.
Arm Yourself With Defense Experience
Contact Michael V. Worgul Today
Thank you for contacting Michael V. Worgul, Esq., LLC. Your message has been sent.
Call us now
or use the form below.
Your case does not start when you enter the courtroom. The best defense starts immediately, with a thorough investigation of the facts. As your defense attorney, I will use this information to challenge the prosecution every step of the way. Many cases are won and lost at preliminary hearings, and I will take advantage of this time to discover more about the case against you and work with the DA seeking to have the charges reduced or dismissed. Contact me today for a free initial consultation.
When the police tell you that anything you say can and will be held against you, they are not messing around. There is a lot at stake in your case, so make sure you do not say anything that could make it more difficult. You want to talk to an experienced lawyer first, and having handled over 1,000 cases as a defense lawyer, I am ready to help. Contact me today to schedule a free initial consultation.
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 Fourteenth Amendment extends substantive due process rights beyond just 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 every aspect of the criminal justice process. If you have been accused of a crime, whether federal, state or local, a seasoned criminal defense attorney from Michael V. Worgul, Esq., LLC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 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 an attorney can advise you about their 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 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
Conclusion
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 like one from Michael V. Worgul, Esq., LLC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as early as possible to enlist an important ally in your quest to protect your legal and constitutional rights.
Copyright ©2009 FindLaw, a Thomson Business
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
