Ms. Landry will meet with you to discuss the facts of your case and decide what possible defenses and strategies are appropriate for your dilemma. In many circumstances you may not even have to appear in court. Ms. Landry accepts cases on behalf of clients motivated to defend their constitutional rights and to protect themselves and their families from illegal law enforcement actions.

Each individual and case has difficult issues and the fees charge reflect not only Ms. Landry's expertise, special training and knowledge, but the quality of service you need during this difficult time. For your convenience, Ms. Landry also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.

As is always shown on television and in the movies, the police must tell the suspect that he or she has the right to remain silent, that anything said can be used against the person in a court of law, and that the person has a right to an attorney and that one will be provided if the person cannot afford one. The United States Supreme Court held that to protect the privilege against self-incrimination -- the right to not testify against one's self -- found in the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, these warnings must be given to every person after arrest and before any questioning begins.

Usually within 48 hours after an arrest a person must be brought before a judge. Usually, this appearance is called an arraignment. At the arraignment, the person is informed of the charges and the judge determines whether there is an adequate reason to charge the person with having committed a crime. The judge also usually will set bail. Bail is the amount of money that a person must give to the court to be released before trial. The basic purpose of bail is to give the criminal defendant a strong incentive to show up for trial; if the person flees or does not appear at the trial, the bail is forfeited.

The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits excessive bail. The amount of bail depends on the nature of the offense, the defendant's prior criminal record, and the court's assessment of the likelihood that the defendant will flee or pose a continuing threat to the community.

At the arraignment, or at a subsequent hearing, the defendant is asked for an initial plea of "guilty" or "not guilty." If a defendant pleads guilty, there is no trial and the defendant will have a sentencing hearing where the judge will determine the appropriate punishment. In most criminal cases, trials are avoided through a process called "plea bargaining." The prosecutor offers the defendant a compromise where the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a reduction of the charges or a lessened sentence.

Over 90% of all criminal cases are resolved through plea arguments. Plea bargaining can occur anytime before the trial begins, and occasionally even during the trial itself.

At both the federal and state levels, prosecutors must disclose to the defendant
any evidence that would help the defendant to establish his or her innocence.
For example, if a prosecutor learns of a witness who can verify a criminal
defendant's alibi, the prosecutor must disclose this to the defense.

The Law Offices of
Virginia L. Landry, Inc.
15635 Alton Parkway, Suite 117
Irvine, California 92618-7323

Ph. 888-203-0193
Fx. 949-585-7407