Criminal Law

In criminal law, each case is unique, whether it be a DUI, Aggravated Assault, Theft charge, or Homicide, each defendant deserves personal attention and specifically tailored solutions. At Racine Olson, PLLP, our Idaho criminal defense lawyers give each case the attention it deserves by crafting an individualized plan of action designed to reach our clients’ specific goals.

When it comes to criminal law, the opposing party is not an individual but is the state which has district attorneys, police, and investigators who are all lined up against you. You need an aggressive attorney on your side defending your rights and getting you results. The criminal defense attorneys at Racine Olson, PLLP are experienced in all criminal matters.

Criminal cases can be lost by poor decision making or poor planning during the early stages of the case. Failure to investigate before evidence disappears, giving information to police willingly or unwillingly, or communicating on recorded lines can doom a case before it even begins. Having a qualified criminal defense attorney in Idaho on your side from the beginning can help you avoid these pitfalls and better prepare you for success as your case progresses.

It is important to remember that honest communication and open advice is critical to successful criminal defense. Attorney client privilege covers all conversations between the attorney and client so that a defendant can tell their attorney any and all relevant information without fear.

If you think that there is a warrant out for your arrest, the best time to call your attorney is right away. A good attorney will walk you through the process and ensure that you spend minimal time in police custody. Here at Racine Olson, PLLP, our approach is to start by advising you on how to conduct yourself with the police after you turn yourself in. Then we will arrange a turn in time for you that minimizes your time behind bars. Lastly, we will plan for your defense at the bail hearing so that we can keep bail to the absolute minimum.

If you have already been arrested for a crime, there are a few things to consider. First, being polite and respectful to the police can evidence cooperation on your part and show the police that there is no reason to behave poorly. Second, you should not answer any substantive question about where you were, what you were doing, who you know, or anything related to the crime that you allegedly committed. If the police do ask you questions like this, you can invoke your right to an attorney. In order to make your intentions clear, it is important to specifically state “I want to speak with my attorney.” Just saying the word “lawyer” over and over again or saying something like “I don’t want to talk right now” can be insufficient. Third, you should answer routine processing and booking questions such as name, address, and date of birth. If you do not you might get booked as a John Doe and have to sit in lockup while the police identify you. You may also be asked to sign a statement saying that you have been read your rights, or to sign a subpoena for your court date. It is important to read over documents such as these before you sign them.

Whenever talking to police, it is important to remember that they are legally allowed to lie and trick you into saying something that you did not intend to. Additionally, try not to get confused or angry when the police behave like this. You can again invoke your right to an attorney and simply inform the police that you want to speak with your attorney before answering any questions. It is illegal for the police to question you again after you have invoked your right to an attorney. If they try to do not answer any of their questions, simply ask for your attorney again.

Once bail has been set the judicial process starts to kick into high gear. Courts set hearing dates and hand out subpoenas while prosecutors and police prepare the case against you. During this time, it can easily feel like the weight of the world is on you. Fortunately, our attorneys can help protect you from the abuses of the system and thus providing protection when most necessitated.

Hearings, trial preparation, and trial advocacy are at the core of what we do. When your freedom is on the line, you want someone who is ready to fight for you at throughout the process and in front of the court at trial.

The knowledgeable, experienced, and diligent attorneys at Racine Olson, PLLP are here to help you and your family when you need it the most. Whether a misdemeanor or felony, our Idaho criminal defense attorneys are prepared to guide you through the legal process and fight for you at every turn. Call us toll free at 877.232.6101 or 208.232.6101 for a consultation with the Racine Olson, PLLP team of criminal defense attorneys. You can also email us directly at racine@racinelaw.net. We stand ready to answer your questions and help solve your criminal defense needs.