What Next?

Don't pick up any new charges while your case is pending. This affects your release status and can effect the seriousness of any sentence the court imposes if you're convicted.

Prepare for Court

Read the paperwork you were given by the police. That tells you what you've been charged with. Additional charges may be added or dropped later in the discretion of the District Attorney at your first court appearance.

Calendar your court date. Make sure you know where court is, where to park, and what time it starts. If you miss court, a warrant will issue for your arrest and you could be charged with the additional crime of failure to appear.

Get to court early. Often there's a long line to get through security. Get there early and avoid the rush.

Bring a newspaper or something to read. While listening to court cases is initially interesting, soon your interest will taper off.

Dress appropriately. Think: job interview with someone you want to impress.

Leave the kids behind. Court's serious stuff. The judges are angered when they think children are brought to court to garner sympathy, and kids don't have the patience to sit still.

MISTAKES TO AVOID

I'm sorry for what happened. I just want to get it over with and make things right. A criminal conviction can mark you for the rest of your life. By admitting guilt early, there is little incentive for the prosecutor to be fair. You lose your negotiating power and waive important rights that protect you against the System. Unless you get a great offer--which most people can't tell anyway-- there is usually no compelling reason to resolve it early.

I'm not a bad person. I can't believe this is happening to me. A criminal charge affects people who depend on you too. Most cases begin with the humiliation of handcuffs. Then the System follows up by treating good people shamefully--people with families, financial obligations, or who are risking their jobs. The System thinks crime equals punishment, with small regard to how it affects you or the people who depend on you. You may feel devastated by what's happened, but to protect your rights and the people who depend on you, you'll need serious damage control.

I didn't do it. I'll just tell the judge what happened and the case will be dismissed. Even if you're innocent, you could still be convicted. The courts can and do make mistakes. When you're charged with a crime, your liberty is in the hands of strangers: the judges, the jury, and the prosecutors. Anticipate that court will be crowded. At your first court date, the judge will NOT let you explain any defenses to your case or why you are innocent. You'll likely come back to court many times before your case ends, even if it interferes with work or travel.

A criminal case shouldn't leave a permanent mark against you.

Once a case is over, it's often possible to get your record expunged and start fresh with a clean slate. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Your defense begins with a desire to get on with your life.

I do not charge for the initial telephone consultation. I am a small, affordable, criminal defense firm that has protected good people in trouble for over 21 years. I am NOT a public defender. I realize that there are people in custody who don't deserve to be there, who don't deserve to lose their jobs, and who don't deserve what's happened to them. That's what drives my firm. If you've been thinking, "If I had only..." then why not consider Kenneth E. Kahn Attorney. I can't change the past but I can help you keep your life intact and protect your future. Hire professional legal help. There is no substitute for an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

Kenneth E. Kahn II, Attorney, P.C.
The initial telephone consultation is free
(503) 241-4105

Kenneth E. Kahn II is a criminal defense lawyer who has protected good people in trouble for over 21 years. The firm emphasizes:

Ballot Measure 11 felonies, appeals, criminal record expungements, theft crimes, traffic crimes, DUII / DWI, assault crimes, drug crimes, DMV hearings, and other felony crimes and misdemeanors.

I practice criminal law throughout Oregon and primarily in the following geographic areas: Multnomah County, Washington County, Clackamas County, Hood River County, Columbia County, Tillamook County, Marion County, Deschutes County, Lane County, Yamhill County, Columbia County, Benton County, and Linn County. My criminal defense law firm is located in downtown Portland, Oregon.





	What Next? Don't pick up any new charges while your case is pending. This affects your release status and can effect the seriousness of any sentence the court imposes if you're convicted. Prepare for Court Read the paperwork you were given by the police. That tells you what you've been charged with. Additional charges may be added or dropped later in the discretion of the District Attorney at your first court appearance. Calendar your court date. Make sure you know where court is, where to park, and what time it starts. If you miss court, a warrant will issue for your arrest and you could be charged with the additional crime of failure to appear. Get to court early. Often there's a long line to get through security. Get there early and avoid the rush. Bring a newspaper or something to read. While listening to court cases is initially interesting, soon your interest will taper off. Dress appropriately. Think: job interview with someone you want to impress. Leave the kids behind. Court's serious stuff. The judges are angered when they think children are brought to court to garner sympathy, and kids don't have the patience to sit still. MISTAKES TO AVOID *I'm sorry for what happened. I just want to get it over with and make things right. A criminal conviction can mark you for the rest of your life. By admitting guilt early, there is little incentive for the prosecutor to be fair. You lose your negotiating power and waive important rights that protect you against the System. Unless you get a great offer--which most people can't tell anyway-- there is usually no compelling reason to resolve it early. I'm not a bad person. I can't believe this is happening to me. A criminal charge affects people who depend on you too. Most cases begin with the humiliation of handcuffs. Then the System follows up by treating good people shamefully--people with families, financial obligations, or who are risking their jobs. The System thinks crime equals punishment, with small regard to how it affects you or the people who depend on you. You may feel devastated by what's happened, but to protect your rights and the people who depend on you, you'll need serious damage control. I didn't do it.* I'll just tell the judge what happened and the case will be dismissed. Even if you're innocent, you could still be convicted. The courts can and do make mistakes. When you're charged with a crime, your liberty is in the hands of strangers: the judges, the jury, and the prosecutors. Anticipate that court will be crowded. At your first court date, the judge will NOT let you explain any defenses to your case or why you are innocent. You'll likely come back to court many times before your case ends, even if it interferes with work or travel. A criminal case shouldn't leave a permanent mark against you. Once a case is over, it's often possible to get your record expunged and start fresh with a clean slate. Everyone deserves a second chance. Your defense begins with a desire to get on with your life. I do not charge for the initial telephone consultation. I am a small, affordable, criminal defense firm that has protected good people in trouble for over 21 years. I am NOT a public defender. I realize that there are people in custody who don't deserve to be there, who don't deserve to lose their jobs, and who don't deserve what's happened to them. That's what drives my firm. If you've been thinking, "If I had only..." then why not consider Kenneth E. Kahn Attorney. I can't change the past but I can help you keep your life intact and protect your future. Hire professional legal help. There is no substitute for an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Kenneth E. Kahn II, Attorney, P.C. The initial telephone consultation is free (503) 241-4105 Kenneth E. Kahn II is a criminal defense lawyer who has protected good people in trouble for over 21 years. The firm emphasizes: Ballot Measure 11 felonies, appeals, criminal record expungements, theft crimes, traffic crimes, DUII / DWI, assault crimes, drug crimes, DMV hearings, and other felony crimes and misdemeanors. I practice criminal law throughout Oregon and primarily in the following geographic areas: Multnomah County, Washington County, Clackamas County, Hood River County, Columbia County, Tillamook County, Marion County, Deschutes County, Lane County, Yamhill County, Columbia County, Benton County, and Linn County. My criminal defense law firm is located in downtown Portland, Oregon.