CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS CONNECTICUT

If you have been arrested or accused of a crime, you should understand your rights as soon as possible. At Aeton Law Partners located in Middletown, Connecticut, we stand ready to assist with advice and representation in criminal matters. Aeton attorneys represent individuals in courtrooms across the state in a wide variety of criminal matters involving felonies and misdemeanors, including for narcotics and drug crimes, driving under the influence and motor vehicle offenses, assault and battery, crimes against a person, and property crimes. We also have experience in technology and related crimes, including computer crimes, computer fraud and abuse, theft, and online and social media harassment.

We handle criminal defense matters throughout Connecticut in venues such as Hartford, Middletown, Vernon Rockville, Waterbury, Meriden, and New Haven.We handle matters for adults and minors. Many times, our representation in a criminal matter will also involve civil matters, including general litigation. Many times, our representation of minors will coincide with our handling of school and related disciplinary matters.

DO YOU NEED A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY IN CONNECTICUT?

Technically, you do not need an attorney, but it is always a good idea to consult an attorney. When facing criminal charges or arrest, you should at least get advice about your rights. We give confidential consultations and accept phone calls in some situations on an emergency basis. Our attorneys have been in situations where a potential client was about to speak to police without representation or understanding the full implications of speaking to the police. Most people tend to want to cooperate thinking there is nothing to hide. Hiring an attorney can allow your attorney to attempt to communicate with the police for you and/or prevent you from incriminating yourself without understanding your rights.

If you have been charged with a crime or a serious motor vehicle offense in Connecticut, a criminal defense attorney can represent you at all of the various stages of the court process: from bail hearings and arraignments to pre-trials and trials. Oftentimes, criminal and motor vehicle charges can be negotiated and settled with the State’s Attorney (known as prosecutors) at the various courthouse locations such as Middletown, Hartford, Waterbury or Rockville. If your case is not settled, then it may proceed to a pre-trial or possibly a court or jury trial.

Representation by an experienced criminal defense attorney at any of these events is crucial. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf so that you are not put in the position of having to deal with an experienced and knowledgeable prosecutor yourself. State’s Attorneys have the resources of the State of Connecticut on their side.

WHERE IN CONNECTICUT WILL YOUR CRIMINAL CASE GO TO COURT, PART A OR PART B?

The location of your arrest and/or criminal charge is the most significant factor determining where your case will end up and what State’s Attorney will handle the case. More serious criminal offenses go to “Part A,” and less serious crimes and motor vehicle offenses are heard in “Part B.” The nature of the crimes with which you are charged will determine where your case is heard, and cases may be transferred between Part A and Part B. For Part B cases, prosecutors are typically residents of or are assigned at each of the Geographic Areas in Connecticut, which are determined by county. For example, in Middlesex County, there is Geographical Area (G.A.) 9 for Middletown and the surrounding towns such as Portland, East Hampton, Cromwell, Durham, and Middlefield. For any G.A. 9 cases, your attorney would appear for you at the courthouse in Middletown. In the Hartford County, there are three Geographical Area courts. G.A. 12 is in Manchester and includes the towns of East Hartford, Glastonbury, Manchester, Marlborough, and South Windsor. G.A. 13 is in Enfield and includes East Granby, East Windsor, Enfield, Granby, Simsbury, Suffield, Windsor, and Windsor Locks. G.A. 14 is in Hartford and includes Avon, Bloomfield, Canton, Farmington, Hartford, and West Hartford. Part A cases are typically assigned to a Judicial District courthouse.

HOW CAN A CRIMINAL LAWYER HELP?

Each case has its own unique sets of facts. The first priority for a criminal lawyer is understanding what happened in a high level of detail. At Aeton, your lawyer will be focused on how to prove your defenses, file motions on your behalf seeking dismissal, provide a prosecutor with key facts to get a favorable plea agreement, request that charges be outright dropped—this is often referred to as “nolled,” which is short for nolle prosequi (Latin for unwilling to prosecute)—or get your case dismissed. Depending on the facts of your case, your criminal lawyer will advise you and determine whether there are any diversionary programs, such as the Alcohol Education Program, the Drug Education Program, or Accelerated Rehabilitation, that you may be eligible for.

Read more about Connecticut’s Diversionary Programs here.

A criminal defense lawyer can also evaluate whether the police followed proper procedures, including during DUI arrests, and determine whether you have any factual or legal defenses that may allow you to get the charges dropped and prevent a criminal conviction from appearing on your record.

No two criminal defendants are alike, and a criminal defense attorney can make sure the prosecutors understand that your circumstances are unlike the other criminal defendants they see on a daily basis. Oftentimes, prosecutors may try to fit you into a box and offer you the same standard deal that most people receive, simply because of the vast amount of people that appear in court on a daily basis. Remember, for the most part, the only thing a State’s Attorney knows about you is what is contained in the police report. Your lawyer can provide appropriate information to the prosecutor and court to help demonstrate that you are more than just what a police officer has told them. In some cases, evidence of community involvement, steady employment, and other positive facts can help in receiving an offer that is more favorable than the “standard.”

PRE-ARREST REPRESENTATION

In addition to representation in court, we can provide representation if you are being investigated by the police. If you have been contacted by the Connecticut State Police or a local police department, or you believe you might be a suspect in a police investigation but have not been charged with a crime, contact us to determine if we can help.

Pre-arrest representation can be critical as it may be the difference in whether you are arrested in the first place. A criminal defense attorney can contact the police on your behalf to help preserve your right to remain silent and communicate your position clearly to the investigating agency. Or, if you make the decision to speak with the police, a criminal attorney can represent you at any such meeting to be sure you are treated fairly. It is important to contact a criminal defense lawyer prior to giving, and especially signing, any statements so that you may be advised on the consequences of doing so. Although in some situations it may be helpful to speak with the police, a decision to do so should only be made after careful consideration.

If you are facing a criminal charge, please contact us to schedule a consultation. Our firm handles a broad range of criminal and motor vehicle defense matters in Connecticut, including cases involving these matters:

• DUI/DWI
• Felonies
• Misdemeanors
• Drug crimes
• Assaults
• Domestic Violence
• Reckless Driving
• Violation of a Protective Order
• Violation of Probation
• Drug Possession
• Larceny/Theft
• Theft Crimes
• Diversionary Programs