If you are arrested, the prosecutor’s promise of relatively little jail time may tempt you to quickly plead guilty to a serious charge. But be extremely cautious before accepting a plea bargain, especially to a serious charge early in the pleading process. A conviction of a serious crime may cause you severe problems in the future. For example:

• If you plead to a misdemeanor charge with a maximum possible sentence of more than two years imprisonment, you may never legally possess a firearm.
• If you plead to a drug offense, you cannot obtain federal student aid for at least one year.
• If you are convicted of a serious crime you may receive even greater punishment if you are later charged with a crime.
• If you are convicted of a serious crime your job prospects may be damaged forever.

Before pleading, try to hold out until a later court appearance. Hiring a New Hampshire criminal attorney can help you avoid many of the pitfalls inherent in an early plea bargain. For example, a New Hampshire criminal attorney will:

• Advise you to be very cautious before entering a guilty plea. A good attorney will look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence and advise you when to hold out for a better deal. The prosecutor may see that your attorney has called his bluff and make a more acceptable offer.
• Consult with lawyers who appear regularly in that court and know the value of your type of case.
• Investigate your case fully and highlight weaknesses in the prosecution case.

If you’ve been arrested, contact Wiberg Law Office, PLLC at (603) 686-5454 for help and advice from an experienced New Hampshire criminal defense attorney.