The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution contained in the Bill of Rights, through various, more specific guarantees, generally provides you the right to a fair trial.
This basic right, along with the presumption of innocence, forms the basis of our criminal justice system. However, too many people feel that the deck is stacked against them. There is a public perception that people are given unfair treatment based on their social or economic status. Public defenders, while often very good attorneys, can be overwhelmed with a large number of cases and, therefore, are sometimes ill-prepared to provide indigent clients with the time and resources demanded for clients’ best possible defense.
Defendants plead guilty for a variety of reasons, not all of them good.
The truth is that our justice system, however well intentioned, is flawed in many fundamental ways. We believe that our system’s shortcomings shouldn’t deter a person accused of a crime from seeking justice, and shouldn’t make a person feel intimidated and resign themselves to giving in. Everyone, no matter what they are accused of, deserves the right to an attorney that will represent them in a way befitting the intentions of the author(s) of our Bill of Rights.
Facts About Criminal Justice System in Our Country
- The number of people incarcerated jumped by over 400 percent from 1980 to 2008, in part because people are serving longer sentences.
- The United States has one-fourth of the world’s prison population, even though we have only 5 percent of the overall population.
- Every year, the United States spends $70 billion on corrections.
- African Americans make up 1 million of the 2.5 million people incarcerated, six times the rate of white people.
- Some experts speculate that incarceration can limit the typical earnings of a former male prisoner by up to 40 percent.
- Somewhere between 90 to 95 percent of defendants represented by public defenders plead guilty to their crimes.
- In the fiscal year of 2015, the Lexington public defender’s office had 22 attorneys processing 10,786 cases, handling caseloads that exceed the national standard.
When accused of a serious crime, it can feel like the world is against you. Your community, your friends and even members of your family might treat you differently. Having an advocate on your side, one that operates without prejudice, is a right that every American citizen should be afforded. Dan Carman has been that advocate for many, many people in the community accused of a crime.
Criminal Charges in Kentucky
There are a number of criminal charges that a person might face in our state. Here are some of the problems we have helped with:
- Violations (Probation or Parole Violations)
- Misdemeanors (theft, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, 4th degree assault)
- Felony Charges (A, B, C or D)
- DUI (Felony DUI)
- Weapon Charges
- Drug Charges
- Domestic Violence
- Federal Crimes
- Murder, 1st and 2nd degree
- Manslaughter
- Property Crimes ( such as theft)
- Sex Offenses
Defending a client against criminal charges in Kentucky can be much more complicated than simply deciding whether or not a defendant should plead guilty or not guilty. It’s vital to get good legal counsel as soon as possible when charged with a crime in Kentucky. Our experience proves that we’re not only qualified to help you, but that we’re motivated to give your case the time and effort you deserve.
We have helped many Kentuckians who have been charged with criminal offenses. If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges, remember that you have the right to due process and that you don’t have to go it alone. Contact us today to find out your best course of action moving forward.
