Fargo, ND Criminal Defense Lawyers
A lot of things are going through your mind if you’ve been arrested in North Dakota. Should you hire a public defender or a private defense attorney? What will happen if you’re found guilty? Will you be able to find a job or find a new place to live? These are questions that warrant hiring a Fargo criminal defense lawyer for your case.
It’s understandable if you’re scared – this can be an incredibly frightening situation. But the attorneys with Sand Law are ready to stand with you every step of the way. We have a deep understanding of how North Dakota criminal cases work, and we have relationships with several Fargo prosecutors. We know how they think, and we work with them regularly. Our attorneys will do everything we can to reduce your potential penalties or have your case completely dismissed.
Please get in touch with us as soon as possible for a free review of your case. You can contact us online or call 701-609-1510.
Types of Criminal Cases We Handle
If you’ve been charged with any of the following crimes, contact a Sand Law attorney to find out more about how we may be able to help.
Misdemeanors and Felonies
- Misdemeanors and felonies – Even a misdemeanor can lead to a stiff penalty. Being convicted of a felony can change your life forever. In either case, you need the most effective defense possible.
- DUI – Whether this is your first, second, third, fourth or subsequent DUI arrest, you’ll always be able to count on us to protect your rights. The stakes are too high to trust your defense to a law firm without the experience in DUI defense cases that Sand Law attorneys possess.
- Drug offenses – Any drug charge, such as possession, distribution or manufacturing, can lead to years in jail and severe fines. You need an aggressive attorney to have the best chance of achieving the best possible outcome.
Violent Crimes
- Violent crimes – We know the effective strategies that can help if you’re facing a charge of murder, manslaughter or any other kind of violent crime.
- Assault – Our attorneys take all types of assault charges – including aggravated assault, domestic assault and others – very seriously.
- Theft – From relatively minor shoplifting to theft and robbery charges, we have years of experience helping clients face potentially severe penalties.
Other Crimes
- Juvenile offenses – We’ll do all we can to help a minor charged with a criminal offense avoid having their mistake affect them for the rest of their life.
- White collar crimes – Financial crimes, such as fraud, money laundering and others, can result in lengthy prison terms and other penalties. They may not seem as severe as others on this list, but the punishments can be significant.
- Federal crimes – A federal charge is even more severe than a state charge. Consequences can include decades in prison.
Sex Crimes
- Sex offense – Rape, gross sexual imposition and other sex offense crimes can lead to long jail terms and stain a defendant’s reputation for life.
- Child pornography – If you’re charged with the possession, distribution or creation of child pornography, there are several effective defenses we may be able to use on your behalf.
Penalties for Common Misdemeanors and Penalties in North Dakota
Two more common misdemeanors in North Dakota are first-time DUI and theft. With a first-time DUI offense, you could face a fine of $500 or two days in jail if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level was less than .16. If your BAC was higher than .16, you’ll face a $750 fine and two days in jail. If a minor was in your vehicle or you were in an accident that injured someone, the penalties will be far worse.
Theft of services or property with a value of between $250-$500 is a class A misdemeanor. If convicted, you could face up to a year in jail and a fine of as much as $2,000.
As you can see, just because you’re facing a misdemeanor charge doesn’t mean the penalties aren’t substantial. That’s why you need to contact a Sand Law attorney as quickly as possible.
Steps to Take If You’re Arrested
First of all, stay calm. Always remember that just because you’ve been arrested and charged doesn’t mean you’ll be convicted. There’s every chance you were arrested wrongfully, and your charges will eventually be dismissed.
You should also know that you don’t have to say anything other than provide your name and address and don’t provide any other information unless you have an attorney. Speak with an attorney immediately to make 100% certain your rights are protected at all times.
What are My Rights?
The U.S. Constitution spells out a defendant’s rights. For example, the Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable search and seizure, while the Sixth Amendment provides you with the right to a lawyer. The Fifth Amendment protects you from self-incrimination. Defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help You?
A Sand Law criminal defense attorney will determine the most effective strategy and always work in your best interests. Here’s a quick look at some of the ways we can help.
How We’ll Build Your Defense
- Analyzing the arresting officer’s conduct – If the officer violated your rights, there’s a chance we’ll be able to convince the court to suppress (throw out) whatever evidence they uncovered.
- Determining the best strategy – We’ll investigate your case and recommend the strategy we think will be most effective. You could have acted in self-defense, or you may have a strong alibi. An unreliable witness may have made claims against you, or the prosecution’s evidence may be weak.
- Being by your side at trial – If your case goes to court, we’ll be ready to provide a vigorous defense. We’ll cross-examine prosecution witnesses, object to any improper testimony or evidence, and provide the most compelling argument possible on your behalf.
Contact Sand Law if You’ve Been Arrested in Fargo, North Dakota
Learn more about how Sand Law may be able to help by using our online form or calling 701-609-1510 for a free case review. We’ll be with you through this trying time in your life.