If you’ve been charged with a crime, you may be wondering if you should hire a criminal defense lawyer. Based on his decades of experience, defense attorney James T. Kratovil of Kratovil & Amore PLLC in Charles Town, WV, discusses situations in which you simply must seek professional legal representation.

Here are three situations in which the help of a criminal defense lawyer will be invaluable to you:

• Felony Charges: If you are convicted on a felony charge, you face more than one year in prison, plus heavy fines and fees. Murder, a Class 1 felony in West Virginia, carries a penalty of life in prison. Child pornography carries a 10-year prison term, up to a $10,000 fine, or both. A felony record will change your life, so getting a criminal defense lawyer is a smart move.
• Misdemeanor Charges: Misdemeanor crimes, including DUIs, carry a punishment of up to a year in a local or county jail, stiff fines, and other penalties. Possession of marijuana carries a 90-day to six-month jail term, up to $1,000 in fines, or both. A defense attorney will help you fight misdemeanor charges that can cost you your job and more.
• Subsequent Offenses: When you have a criminal history and are convicted of other crimes later, you face higher penalties than someone with a clean record. For example, if you are a convicted felon and are convicted of another felony, state law automatically adds five years or more to your prison term. However, it’s possible to avoid a conviction if you contact a criminal defense lawyer.

At Kratovil & Amore PLLC, the defense attorneys understand the impact of strong advocacy on the outcome of a case. The firm's founding attorney, James T. Kratovil, and his team are devoted to being powerful advocates for each client. Their top priority is obtaining the best possible outcome for you.

If the day comes when you need a criminal defense lawyer, turn to Kratovil & Amore PLLC in Charles Town, WV. Call (304) 728-7718 to arrange a consultation, or visit their website for more information.