Preparing a Defense

It is important to carefully evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the government’s case against you. Witnesses need to be interviewed, police officers must be deposed, evidence should be examined, and legal issues have to be fully explored. You need a skilled and experienced criminal trial attorney who can sift through the evidence, find, highlight and uncover discrepancies, and successfully negotiate with prosecutors.

I will meet with you to discuss the facts of your case. I will explain the criminal justice process and review with you the government’s witness lists, police reports, witness statements and any other evidence in your case. Your conversations with me, my investigators or legal assistants are confidential.

You must not talk about your case to anyone else – this includes family and/or friends. I am your attorney, and if anyone has questions about your case, you should direct them to me. You should also not contact directly or indirectly any witnesses for the government, including any alleged victim(s). If you do, you may be charged with a new crime of tampering with witnesses. Rather, any witnesses or other persons having information about your case will be interviewed by my investigator.

As we move forward, I will apprise you of the status of your case and any discussions the prosecutor had with me regarding your case. I will make sure you are aware of any plea offers extended by the prosecutor and fully advise you of the merits of taking or not taking a plea. However, the decision to take a plea belongs with you. You have a constitutional right to a jury trial, and I will zealously represent you should you choose to exercise this right.

This is to provide you with general information and is not legal advice or a substitute for
legal advice. Importantly, each case is unique and will not necessarily be handled in the same manner as described. Please contact me, Sabarish P. Neelakanta, to schedule a free initial consultation if you have specific questions regarding a criminal case against you.