Murder and Assault Lawyers in Delaware

Defending Our Clients From the Most Serious Charges

The majority of crimes in Delaware are property crimes. Unfortunately, there is a small percentage every year that are listed as “violent offenses.” While this category encompasses a variety of criminal charges, it’s often murder and assault that get the most attention. A conviction for either of these offenses can lead to major fines and significant prison time. If you’ve been charged with such a crime, contacting a murder and assault lawyer in Delaware may be in your best interest.

At Schwartz & Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, our hearts are broken when we see that exonerations are at an all-time high. While it’s great that innocent people are getting out of prison, it’s an absolute travesty that they were wrongfully convicted in the first place. We want to ensure that this happens as infrequently as possible. To do that, we make prosecutors work hard for their convictions. If you need an advocate who will advocate tirelessly for you, contact us today for a free consultation.

What Can You Do if Police Are Looking for You?

Are you in a situation where you or a family member are being sought by police? Perhaps officers visited your home, your place of employment, or simply called you on the phone. They’ve asked you to come down to the station for questioning or to turn yourself in on an open assault or murder warrant. What can you do in such a situation? The most important thing is to remain silent. This is one of the most important rights Americans have when charged with crimes, and you should absolutely exercise it.

Next, you should contact a murder and assault lawyer in Delaware as soon as possible. Police are hoping you won’t do this. Getting a conviction is far easier when they can talk to an accused person without an attorney present. If the police ask you to come in for questioning, tell them you want to speak with an attorney before doing so. If they bring you in any way — such as by placing you under arrest — ask for an attorney and remain silent until they arrive.

What Murder and Assault Charges Might You Face?

If you’ve been arrested for the violent attack or murder of someone, there’s not just one charge you might face. In fact, you could see potential homicide charges even if someone died and you had no intention of causing them harm. The criminal justice system is complex, and the courts will typically try to hold someone accountable if there’s even a suspicion that criminal activity may have occurred. As such, you may be hit with the following charges depending on your situation:

• Murder
• Manslaughter
• Vehicular homicide
• Assault first degree
• Assault second degree
• Vehicular assault

Obviously, which of these crimes you’re charged with will depend entirely on the circumstances of your case. At Schwartz & Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, we understand that facing such charges can seem terrifying. This is particularly the case once you’re dealing with prosecutors. This is why many defendants jump at the opportunity to make a plea deal. As we’ll discuss in the next section, though, you should never do this without speaking with a Delaware murder and assault attorney.

Do Prosecutors Overcharge to Secure Guilty Pleas?

Did you know that over 90% of felony convictions are secured through plea bargains rather than trials? It’s an absolutely insane number, and it’s indicative of a system that focuses more on moving cases through fast rather than serving justice. If you have ever spoken with a prosecutor after facing an assault or murder charge in Delaware, they no doubt offered a “once-in-a-lifetime” deal to help you avoid serious consequences. Don’t fall into this trap.

Prosecutors will often overcharge in order to coerce defendants into pleading guilty to lesser charges. For instance, our law firm once had a client accused of first-degree attempted murder for shooting someone in the leg. Police and prosecutors would’ve had to show an intent to kill the victim. After speaking with the victim, though, we learned that the shooting was an accident. He provided a written affidavit stating as much. As a result, charges were reduced significantly.

No one can guarantee an outcome in a criminal case — even with a murder and assault lawyer in Delaware on your side. By having legal representation, though, it will be much more difficult for the system to railroad you. There are good police and prosecutors out there, and there are bad ones as well. Sadly, the system all these individuals work within has significant problems. Contact us today to learn how we can help in your case.

Do Police Lie to Obtain Confessions in Delaware?

When juries hear that a suspect confessed to a crime, the case is often considered “open and shut.” In reality, this isn’t always the case. For instance, did you know that police can lie to you during an interrogation or at any other time? This is completely legal, and in many instances, these lies lead to false confessions. Imagine sitting in a room for hours with police telling you they have bulletproof evidence against you — but if you just confess, all your troubles will go away.

Nearly anyone might confess then. Sadly, this happens every day in America. Interrogation tactics are meant to elicit confessions from the accused, but unfortunately, they often result in false confessions. In fact, many individuals exonerated by DNA years after their imprisonment falsely confessed to the crimes they were charged with. As discussed earlier, you have a right to remain silent and to request counsel. If you really want an interrogation to end, simply say the words “I want an attorney, now.”

Contact Our Murder and Assault Lawyers in Delaware Today

If you’ve been charged with assault or murder in Delaware, the law doesn’t require you to seek legal representation. In fact, you may be assigned a public defender so you don’t even have to worry about finding an attorney. Unfortunately, these public legal professionals typically have overburdened caseloads. After all, tens of thousands of people — many of who are completely indigent — are arrested every year in our state.

At Schwartz & Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, our defense lawyers fight diligently to secure the best outcomes for our clients. In some cases, this could mean securing a not guilty verdict. In other instances, it may come down to getting the best possible plea deal or sentence. Every case is different, but with a Delaware murder and assault lawyer on your side, you’ll have an advocate fighting for your rights. Contact us today by calling (855) 847-8437 to schedule a free consultation.