San Jose, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/03/2014 -- According to a recent Urban Institute Justice Police Center Study, only 45% of people released from prison were employed eight months after their release. Further studies indicate a former inmate's incarceration of only nine weeks can diminish their annual earnings by as much as 40 percent. Often treated as second class citizens in the working world, it's imperative, according to experts, that those charged with felonies do everything they can to avoid the conviction in the first place.

Says Maureen F. Baldwin, primary attorney at the Law Office of Maureen F. Baldwin, "Criminal charges are always serious, whether you are charged with a felony or a misdemeanor. A criminal case negatively impacts your freedom, your family, your finances, your ability to find or change jobs, and of course can be personally devastating to law-abiding people. Finding an attorney immediately makes all the difference in the entire way your case is handled."

With this in mind, Baldwin understands that the decision to hire a criminal lawyer is not an easy one. "The average person does not plan to be accused of a crime and does not keep a few thousand in cash set aside in case he or she gets in trouble with the law." She goes on to explain, however, that one does have to pay for the experience you need to fight a criminal charge. "Don't believe it if a lawyer promises to get your case dismissed. A criminal attorney cannot make promises such as these. A good criminal lawyer will promise to use "best efforts", to take your case seriously and to do everything in their power to obtain the best result under the circumstances. Only an experienced attorney will understand the complicated rules of evidence that may make the difference in whether you will win or lose your case; only an experienced attorney will see that your case is investigated properly."

Offering a free consultation to discuss their case, Baldwin says she hopes will help encourage those being investigated or charged with a crime to seek help sooner. "You may schedule an initial free 30 minute consultation at our office at our office during business hours as well, and feel assured that all inquiries are kept confidential."

About The Law Office of Maureen F. Baldwin
Maureen Baldwin is an aggressive, experienced San Jose criminal lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Santa Clara County Criminal Court, as well as in other Silicon Valley area criminal courts. Based on her experience and knowledge of the local prosecutor's office policies, as well as the judges of the Santa Clara County Superior Court, she knows how to mount an effective defense for her clients. Maureen Baldwin is an experienced, aggressive, and knowledgeable attorney who works to avoid a conviction, avoid filing of criminal charges by the police, and avoid county jail or long prison sentences.