Hampshire Criminal Complaints Attorney

Guiding Defendants Through the Criminal Complaints Hearing Process in Franklin County, Hampden County, & Berkshire County

Attorney Jesse Adams represents defendants facing a criminal complaint application. The most important step in a criminal complaint application is the hearing, which will establish whether the complaint should formally issue. It is critical that you hire an experienced defense attorney who can help build a strong case against the criminal complaint and thus avoid serious criminal charges. Attorney Adams can help you gather the necessary documents and information that may convince the judge to dismiss the complaint. Criminal complaints are not as final as criminal charges, but they still require an assertive defense lawyer to handle effectively.

If you have a criminal complaint against you, contact Jesse Adams Law Firm LLC for a free consultation to discuss your next steps in the legal process.

What Is a Criminal Complaint?

A criminal complaint is a court document that formally charges a defendant with a crime and begins the criminal justice procedure. The complaint will specify the law(s) that have been allegedly violated and provide a short description of the basis for the charge. It will also include the time, date, and location of the alleged criminal activity that led to the charge.

A criminal complaint can either be handed to the defendant when they are brought into court after being arrested, or it can be mailed to the defendant if they are not arrested. In the latter situation, the defendant will receive the criminal complaint and summons in the mail detailing their charges, and they will need to appear in court to proceed. 

Many individuals might be tempted to think “out of sight, out of mind” when they receive a complaint in the mail, but criminal charges will not disappear simply if they are ignored. It is crucial to follow the steps of a criminal complaint and proceed to the required hearings. After all, these hearings will give an opportunity to combat the charges and build a case against a wrongful accusation. 

Show-Cause or Magistrate Hearings

When a criminal complaint application has been filed, the court will schedule a “show-cause” hearing with the Clerk-Magistrate to decide whether the formal complaint should even issue. This hearing is an important place for the defendant to persuade against criminal charges. 

Show-cause hearings are typically informal and take place in a small office, not a courtroom. The defendant may bring evidence, relevant documents, and witnesses to help their case. The standard of proof required to issue a criminal complaint is fairly low, and it is only required to show probable cause to believe that the defendant has committed a crime. The Clerk-Magistrate will have the final say at the end of the hearing about whether to issue the criminal complaint, dismiss the application for the complaint, or put the application on hold for the time being. If the complaint is successfully dismissed, there will be no record of the criminal charge on the defendant’s criminal history.

While show-cause or magistrate hearings are informal by nature, they are nonetheless serious matters that should be handled by an experienced defense attorney. The outcome of the hearing will determine whether a criminal charge will actually be held against you, so it is in your best interests to hire an experienced and skilled lawyer to represent you in the face of a criminal complaint. The hearing will be a critical time for you to turn your case around, and Jesse Adams Law Firm LLC understands the significance of obtaining a dismissal in your hearing. 

Attorney Jesse Adams is available to clients 24/7 and will be there for you in the hearing room, on the phone, and every step of the way as you prepare for your hearing. He will provide the persuasive and client-oriented advocacy you need to feel confident about your case.

Contact Jesse Adams Law Firm LLC for a free consultation to discuss your next steps following a criminal complaint notice.