United States citizens enjoy one of the most fair justice systems in the world. There are numerous protections in place to protect innocent people from paying for a crime they did not commit. Even if someone is found guilty there are appeals to higher courts to review judicial decisions for fairness and to ensure all your rights were protected.

Criminal law is in general terms a prosecution by federal, state or local government for any act that has been classified as a crime. There are laws on the books that are undergoing constant changes by state legislatures and the federal government. It is the goal of the justice system to punish, rehabilitate, protect society and deter criminals. The two classifications for crimes are misdemeanors or felonies. Misdemeanors are usually dealt with, depending on their severity with fines, community service, probation and less than one year in jail. Examples of misdemeanors are jaywalking, some traffic violations and petty theft. Felonies are the most serious of charges and carries anywhere from one year in prison to life. The most violent of felonies is murder and depending on the circumstances the accused can face the death penalty. If you have been charged with a serious crime in the state of Montana , you need the best criminal attorney you can afford. If you are below a certain level of income, you are entitled to a public defender to handle your case. Public defenders are competent but overworked people. If you can afford to hire an attorney, even through a payment plan you will get more individualized attention. Hiring a criminal lawyer that is experienced in your type of charges is the best plan. The prosecutor’s office decides based on your case if you will be charged and what you will be charged with. It is up to them to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the crime with which you have been charged. This does not mean that you do not need to mount a serious defense to persuade a judge or jury of your innocence or to plant seeds of doubt in their mind. In most cases you are entitled to decide if you want to try your case in front of a jury of your peers or in front of a judge. A good criminal attorney will help you figure out the best defense for your circumstances and mount an investigation to gather facts to help you.