How can I help a family member who has been charged with a crime?

Question

My dad is being accused of snuggling narcotics into the United States and I believe all they have against him is conspiracy. I don't know what I should do?

Craig Elhart · Answer

There is little you can do other than offer your moral and maybe financial support.  He should have an attorney represent him.

Michael J. Breczinski · Answer

Look for a good attorney for him and give him emotional support.

Thomas Tomko · Answer

Your best advice is for them to hire an attorney.  You could help with fees or transportation to the attorney's office.  Other than that, the person charged faces the case on their own.  I hope that this was helpful.

Paula Drake · Answer

The best thing for you to do, since your knowledge of the facts seems limited, is to contact an attorney who can look into the status of the case for you. They can then advise you what you can do for your dad.

Jeffrey Pollock · Answer

Start by hiring a lawyer with a good investigator to see if your father's case has any merit.

Andrew Roberts · Answer

You need to hire an attorney for your father who has experience dealing with drug offenses and arresting authorities. These matters can be dealt with if handled correctly.

James Edward Smith · Answer

Hire him a good criminal lawyer who practices in that federal court district.

Jared Austin · Answer

The best thing you can do is provide moral support and make sure he has excellent representation. Just letting him know that you are there for him will help him tremendously.

Eric Sterkenburg · Answer

The best way to help a person charged with a crime is to consult with more than one attorney and hire the one you feel will best help in your dads situation. Stressing to your father the importance of not talking to anyone about this is one of the best things you can do.

Jonathan Baner · Answer

Nothing much.  Make sure he can afford a good lawyer, and then help that lawyer track down information if he wants you to (though honestly that is often just busy work in my opinion).

Cynthia Henley · Answer

There isn't much you can do except for cooperate with his lawyer in providing positive information about your dad.

Kathryn Hudson · Answer

Your father is likely facing federal charges and that is very serious. Federal mandatory sentencing guidelines makes it very critical that he have an experienced criminal defense attorney that practices in federal court.

Seth Schraier · Answer

The best way you can help your father is by helping him find a good criminal defense attorney to represent him in this matter.  As much as you want to help your father, it is best that you let an attorney figure out how best to serve your father and what kind of defense to present in court.

Dennis Roberts · Answer

Hire a lawyer who is well versed in FEDERAL criminal law. If you need a suggestion get in touch as I know most of the good criminal lawyers in California, having been president of the statewide criminal trial lawyers association (CACJ). If he has no money the federal defenders are generally excellent as they do nothing but federal criminal work.   Whatever you do, don't pay a lawyer without checking out how many criminal cases he/she has done. Federal criminal cases are very expensive. Off the top of my head $50,000 would not be an outrageous fee.

Christopher McCann · Answer

Get him a qualified attorney in the area right away!

Leonard Harden · Answer

If he is in custody, get him bailed out.  If not in custody help him find the best lawyer in your locality.

Bruce Yerman · Answer

You can help your dad by hiring the best criminal lawyer you can afford.

Wilson Lafaurie · Answer

It's hard to tell by your question the jurisdiction in which this occurred,  I am guessing federal court.  My biggest concern is that the federal agents and the prosecutors in your fathers case are working hard to build a conspiracy indictment against him without proper legal representation.  If your family delays retaining private counsel on this type of matter I see irreversible damage occurring.  Damage that even a very competent lawyer can not reverse.  Waiting day by day only puts your father in a worse position to settle this case.

Stephen Freeborn · Answer

If your Dad has an attorney, which I assume he does, then my advice is for you to work with your dad's attorney.  Your failure to do so, could jeopardize your father's case, because you may say or do something that is inappropriate.

John Bussman · Answer

That's easy: hire a good attorney.  It's impossible to discuss strategy and possible defenses without know a whole lot more about the case.

Daniel Kieth Martin · Answer

In most cases conspiracy to commit a crime is punishable by the same sentence as committing the crime. The best thing you can do for your dad is to help him hire the best lawyer you can afford.

Nicholas Belisle Lazzarini · Answer

You should advise him not to answer any questions and to request an attorney.  You should also consult an attorney with federal court drug trafficking experience.

Kevin O'Grady · Answer

Even a charge of conspiracy can result in a federal conviction and prison time.  If you want to try to avoid the conviction and prison time, you need to hire an attorney that will fight for you all the way.

Gary Moore · Answer

Conspiracy to commit a serious crime is a serious crime with serious penalties. He needs the best lawyer he can get. Federal public defenders are usually pretty good.

Mark R. Thiessen · Answer

Hire an attorney that is skilled in drug trials.  You need a big attorney, so hire the best you can afford.

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How can I help a family member who has been charged with a crime?

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