Accused Of a Criminal Offense? Are You Exercising These Rights?

Oct 14

13:06

2017

Steven J. Pisani

Criminal charges can result in hefty fines and long imprisonment, among a number of other harsh penalties. Criminal defendants are seldom aware of all their rights, let alone exercising them. Read on to know the rights that they must know and exercise.

“Your rights matter, because you never know when you’re going to need them.” - Edward Snowden

The consequences that follow criminal charges in Colorado are deadly and the ones accused of criminal offenses have to face a number of penalties. But there are certain rights that they can exercise. However, only a few are aware of them.

These are some of the rights that criminal defendants have in Colorado:

The first and foremost right that they have is to hire a criminal defense attorney to represent them so that they have a fair trial.
The defendant has the right to remain silent. He isn’t required to give or sign any official statement without the presence of his or her defense attorney because his statement might be used against him later in the case.
He has the right to be treated as innocent and right to a fair treatment unless proven guilty. So, he must be treated with respect throughout the case proceedings.
The criminal defendant has the right to refuse to get himself searched without the presence of his or her defense lawyer.
He can also refuse to be detained in case he gets accused of shoplifting charges. Further, he shouldn’t be confined to a small space and should be free to move as he likes.
He has the right to a due process in the proper preservation of evidence.
Moreover, he has the right to not incriminate himself.
Any plea that the criminal defendant makes must be voluntary and not under any kind of influence or force.
If the offense is bailable, then the defendant also has the right to bail.
He has the right to demand and receive a preliminary hearing in order to ascertain the nature and cause of the accusation within a reasonable time so that it is determined whether any probable cause exists to believe that the offense charged was committed by him.
He has the right to meet the witnesses against him face to face and also to question witness’ suitability for a probable cause. Further, he also has the right to process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his behalf.
He has the right to a speedy public trial (i.e within 6 months from entry of “not guilty” plea) by an impartial jury of the county or district in which the offense is alleged to have been committed.