The Right to a Speedy Trial
The Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees all US citizens the right to a speedy trial. It’s part of the Bill of Rights, which many consider to be the most essential section of constitutional amendments. The importance of this right cannot be stressed enough because it protects all of us from being put in jail before a trial for little or no reason at all. Avoiding delays before a trial is incredibly important because witness’ memories become less clear over time or they are otherwise lost when they die or as a result of other situations.
How States Implement the 6th Amendment
Different states have different ways of implementing this constitutionally protected right. Many states indicate that charges must be filed within 72 hours of arrest, but California requires that they be filed within 48 hours if the defendant is in custody. However, after filing, prosecutors are able to change their charging decisions as the process moves forward. Some prosecutors wait to finalize the charges until after a preliminary hearing, which may occur a month or more after the arrest.
Waiting for Charges
So if you’ve been arrested recently, you’re probably anxiously biting your nails or pacing your living room floor, waiting to see what charges will be brought against you. Once you have posted bail and are released from jail, it can be up to 2-3 months before charges are filed against you.
Don’t Wait: Get a Lawyer Now
This is the key time to find a criminal defense lawyer who will tenaciously and meticulously represent you every step of the way—Dan Chambers of the Chambers Law Firm. Attorney Chambers prides himself on providing excellent criminal defense services throughout Southern California.
Dan Chambers specializes in DUI, domestic violence, drug crimes, theft, and assault and battery cases, but no matter what your charge is, he can expertly advise and represent you.
He has worked on hundreds of cases over his 20+ year career as a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. For 6 years, he was the Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County.
Whether it’s a relatively straightforward misdemeanor case or a serious felony, you can trust Dan Chambers to develop a winning legal strategy to reach the most favorable outcome possible.
Bilingual Service
If your first language is Spanish, it’s incredibly helpful to be able to converse about the specifics of your case in your native language, and the staff at Chambers Law Firm is bilingual to serve you better. There’s no need to feel nervous when calling or coming in for a consultation—Dan Chambers’ staff is happy to discuss your case and explain the legal process in Spanish anytime.
Call 714-760-4088 or email dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation with Dan Chambers in Spanish or English today.
