Can Both Guilty and Innocent People Benefit from Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney in Oregon?

At Mark C. Cogan, P.C., our skilled criminal defense attorneys can help guilty people, innocent people, and everyone in between who has been charged with a crime in Oregon.

Just because you have been accused of a crime does not mean you are guilty of the charges.

One of the cardinal principles of the justice system — that you are presumed innocent until proven guilty — is jeopardized through third-party social media speculation, false news stories that do not tell both sides of your case, and accusations that cannot be established beyond a reasonable doubt.

These modern-day pitfalls can deem an innocent person guilty before they even see the inside of a courtroom.

The unique thing about legal trouble is that it can befall both those who committed a crime and those who are completely innocent of the charges brought against them. Anyone facing a criminal charge requires the experienced legal representation of a seasoned criminal defense attorney.

I Am Innocent and Have Nothing to Hide.

Why Would I Need to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney to Represent Me?

According to the Innocence Project, a conservative estimate is that one percent of the U.S. prison population was convicted of a crime they did not commit.

That number totals roughly 20,000 people.

Innocent people are convicted of crimes they did not commit because their rights are eroded during the investigation process, which diminishes their ability to prove they did not commit the crime they were accused of.

This can include:

• Getting bullied into giving incriminating statements or a false confession after long and harsh interrogations by police investigators,
• Failing to understand the severity of the charges, and how aggressive and determined the prosecutor’s office is to carry the case to a conviction,
• Fabricated, withheld, or contaminated evidence that bolsters the prosecutor’s case, simply because the accused does not have the resources to challenge their findings, and
• Prejudices and confirmation bias to search for and favor biased theories about the case.

Some mistakenly believe that innocent people do not need a defense attorney. In fact, police investigators often use that very phrase to deter people from observing their Constitutional rights to remain silent and contact an attorney. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers will provide the knowledge you need to protect your rights while we review the prosecutor’s case evidence to ensure we achieve the best legal results available for your unique circumstances.

I Am Guilty of the Charges Being Made Against Me.

Why Should I Hire an Oregon Criminal Defense Attorney?

When someone commits a crime and is caught in the act or is detained during a police investigation or sting operation, they may believe that there is nothing they can do to avoid the penalties that accompany their charges.

The reality is, you are still entitled to a proper defense, and retain the same rights as an innocent person until the prosecutor’s office can prove otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt.

The burden of proof lies with the State, which means the prosecutor’s office must provide adequate evidence to prove your guilt inside and outside the courtroom — otherwise they have no case.

No matter the circumstances of your arrest, or the charges issued against you, our criminal defense attorneys focus on pursuing the best outcome available for your unique circumstances, which can include:

• Challenging the arrest procedure and process,
• Contesting the legality of the evidence obtained by the police and/or prosecutor’s office,
• Opposing the admittance of any statements made to the police without an attorney,
• Negotiating a favorable resolution with the prosecutor’s office, when necessary, and
• Arguing on our client’s behalf for a dismissal of the charges, when possible.

You are never guilty of a crime until you are proven responsible for those charges by a jury of your peers. As such, you should never give a statement that implicates you in a crime without speaking with an accomplished criminal attorney.

Your rights should always be protected during a criminal investigation. If you are arrested for a crime, do not say a word to the police or another investigator without an attorney present.

Our experienced criminal defense attorneys will work tirelessly to get the charges against you lessened if we are unable to get them dismissed entirely. If neither is possible, we will aggressively defend your rights before a judge and jury, by building a case on your behalf.

Should I Hire a Defense Attorney If I Am Under Investigation or Suspected of Committing a Crime?

The short answer is, yes. There is no reason to cooperate with law enforcement officials when you do not know the extent of their investigation.

Often, the police will use scare tactics — and supply misleading information, which is a permissible interrogation method — to convince suspects to cooperate with their investigation. The truth is you cannot be forced to participate in their interview. If you are not under arrest, you are free to leave, or to ask the police to leave if they are at your door.

And even if you are arrested, you do not have to answer any questions. You simply must ask for an attorney. We will handle it from there.

If you have been charged with a crime, do not attempt to counter the police or the prosecutor’s office on your own, whether you are simply being investigated, are wrongfully accused, or even believe you are guilty. Contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Portland at Mark C. Cogan, P.C. by calling (503) 827-8092 to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled lawyers today. You have rights, and we will protect them now and going forward, so together we can pursue the best outcome for your unique case.