Criminal Law in Alaska
A qualified Alaska criminal defense attorney is the key to a full, robust, and strategic defense. If you are being questioned in connection with an Alaska crime or if you have been arrested, it’s imperative that you seek legal representation immediately. Your future depends on it.
In addition, if you have questions about Alaska criminal laws and criminal defense lawyers, this article was written for you.
In this Alaska based article, we’ll discuss:
- Alaska criminal laws;
- What you need to know about criminal defense in Alaska; and
- How to work with your Alaska criminal defense attorney.
Alaska Criminal Laws
Crime
Alaska criminal laws are found in the Alaska Criminal Code – it’s Title 11 of the Alaska Statutes.
There are many crimes listed in the Alaska Penal Code, including drug crimes, public intoxication, drunk driving,indecent exposure, domestic abuse, prostitution, child pornography, assault and battery, forgery, bad checks, credit card fraud, identity theft, stalking, arson, computer crimes, weapon crimes, manslaughter, and murder.
Be sure your Alaska criminal defense attorney fully explains the crime you are being questioned for or have been charged with.
Statute of Limitations
Criminal charges must be brought within a certain period of time or be forever barred. It’s not likely that you will be charged if the statute of limitations has passed, but be sure your defense lawyer double checks.
For example, in Alaska, the statute of limitations for:
- Kidnapping is unlimited (Alaska Stat. В§ 12.10.010(a)(6)).
- Disorderly conduct is 5 years (Alaska Stat. В§ 12.10.010(b)(1)).
- Assault and Battery is 10 years (Alaska Stat. В§ 12.10.010(b)(1)).
Punishment
Alaska has sentencing guidelines though they’re not called such. The Alaskan legislature has developed a range of presumptive sentences; however, judges can hand down sentences below or above the range as they see fit because of aggravating or mitigating circumstances.
Ask your criminal defense attorney what possible sentence you are facing in your particular case. To get an accurate answer, disclose all details of the crime as well as your full criminal history.
What You Need to Know About Criminal Defense
Your future may be on the verge of collapse. Therefore, you need to hire an attorney and take his or her advice seriously. This is what to do first:
- Call an Alaska criminal defense lawyer, immediately. Initial consultations are free.
- When your lawyer asks you what happened, answer honestly and completely. If in doubt, disclose the information even if you think the information may implicate you in a crime.
- This is the only way your attorney and formulate an appropriate defense.
- Your conversations with your defense attorney are confidential.
- Do not make a statement to police, other than to ask for an attorney.
How to Work with an Alaska Criminal Defense Lawyer
Even after you hire an attorney, you need to take an active role in your own defense. In general, this is what you need to do. Your attorney will let you know if there is anything else you need to do because of the facts in your case.
- Always take your lawyer’s advice.
- Tell your defense attorney exactly what happened.
- Respond to law firm phone calls, emails, or letters immediately.
- Provide all requested information to the law firm in a timely manner.
- Stay in contact with your attorney and update your attorney’s office if your phone number, email, or address changes.
- Remember that it is in your best interest for your attorney to question you, even if it feels as though he or she is giving you a hard time.
- Remember it is okay for your attorney to be polite and cooperate with witnesses, the victim, police officers, investigators, and the prosecutor.
Bottom Line: To find an Alaska criminal defense attorney, search our site, www.attorneys.org, or ask the bar association or a friend for a referral.
