What do I do if my daughter is in jail for attempted murder?

Question

My daughter is in custody for attempted murder.  She didn't do it and she is still in custody with circumstantial evidence.  What do we do?

Anthony Lowenstein · Answer

It depends on several factors.

Thomas Tomko · Answer

You should consider immediately contacting an attorney in the area where the Court case will be held. You should hire the attorney to review the case, meet with her, appear in Court, and attempt to get her released on bond, if possible. If there are no funds for such a thing, then she will be appointed an attorney. You should address your concerns to that attorney.

Cindy L. Barton-Coombs · Answer

Make sure that she has a good attorney.If she doesn't have funds and has an appointed attorney, try to determine if that attorney is really interested in working hard for her.Many appointed attorneys work very hard, and get good results.You and she need to be certain that you have an attorney that is involved in her case.Good Luck

Scott Tibbedeaux · Answer

You should seek legal counsel for your daughter, either a private lawyer or get a public defender assigned to her case.  The attorney will be able to let your daughter know what her options are given the facts of her case.

Scott Hilderman · Answer

You make sure she knows not to talk to talk  to anyone except her lawyer under any circumstances.  Get her a good lawyer.

Paul J. Wallin · Answer

You do not say if you have a private lawyer representing her now, but the odds are good she may be represented by a public defender. Call us now at 877-466-5245 toll free and we can find out more about her case and you will see how we might help you.

Stephen Freeborn · Answer

Hire her a good criminal defense attorney.   There is little more I can say without knowing there facts.  Additionally, I would tell her NOT to talk with police until she is represented by an attorney AND to be VERY careful what she says if she is speaking with anyone on the jail house telephones. Those phone conversations are being monitored and recorded.

Seth Bloom · Answer

You need to hire an attorney to represent your daughter and work to build a strong defense based on the specific details of her case.  An attorney may be able to help you negotiate her release on bond in return for a promise to appear in court later. Attempted murder is a very serious charge and your daughter's defense should not be treated lightly.

Michael Palumbo · Answer

You should retain counsel for your daughter that has experience in capital crimes.

Michael Tumposky · Answer

Circumstantial evidence is still evidence, but it may not be as strong. You need to hire an attorney to represent her.

Thomas Ogas · Answer

Go find her a lawyer.  Attempted murder is punished by life in prison.  This is an extremely serious situation.

Jonathan Willett · Answer

Hello-  A person can only be held for investigation of a crime without the filing of formal charges for 72 hours absent good cause.  If she is under investigation, you should immediately consult with an experienced attorney.  She should be aware that all her jail telephone and visits will be recorded.  She has to be very careful the she only talks to a lawyer about the facts.  If she is charged, and she qualifies financially, she will be appointed a public defender.

Jared Altman · Answer

All you can do is post bail and hire a good attorney.

Eric Schurman · Answer

You need to hire an attorney to represent her.....immediately.

Michael J. Breczinski · Answer

The matter is one which is serious. First bond in capitol cases can be denied depending on the facts. Second bond can often be high. Did the judge set bond? If so what is it? Your daughter needs a good attorney.

Jeffery Cojocar · Answer

She needs to reques counsel, or retain her own attorney

Leonard Harden · Answer

Contact a criminal defense lawyer.  It is unclear if bail has been set, is she represented?  There are far too many unknown facts to be able to give you a good answer.

Sean Walsh · Answer

Get the very best attorney possible.

Terry Nelson · Answer

You?  Nothing, except hire her an attorney and cooperate with him as needed. ed.

Maureen Baldwin · Answer

Of course an attempted murder is very serious as you know. Since you have not hired an attorney for her, the court has provided her either a public defender or a private court-paid attorney. They are working on her case. Very serious cases often move much more slowly through the system since attorneys want to make sure they have all the documents and evidence in the possession of the prosecutor that is needed. Your daughter will know the name of her attorney and how to reach him/her. She is likely instructed not to discuss the facts of her case with anyone except the attorney and is reminded that jail phones are recorded.

Eric Sterkenburg · Answer

You need to get her an attorney as soon like yesterday. I have free consultations and can explane the prosess to you.

Samuel H. Harrison · Answer

Hire a lawyer, try to get her a bond.

Steven C. Bullock · Answer

Best advice is to hire an attorney with the knowledge and experience you   are comfortable with to handle the case.  The charge you cite is extremely   serious and she is in serious trouble that can end up with an extended prison   stay if she is convicted.  Good luck.-

Craig Elhart · Answer

Your daughter should be represented by an attorney.  The attorney should be able to advise you of what can be done.  If she is in jail, there is probably a bond set.  To get out of jail, she would have to post bond if there is one.

Susan Correia-Champa · Answer

Hire an attorney immediately.

Roianne Houlton Conner · Answer

You really need to obtain an attorney for her.  If you can not afford an attorney ask the Court to appoint one for her.  She also should have a bond set if she has not been convicted.

Gregory Casale · Answer

I think the answer is pretty obvious. Hire an attorney.

Jeff Yeh · Answer

Put down your house and hire a lawyer

Robert Keates · Answer

Contact local attorneys in your area. Contact a lot and interview them with a ton of questions.

Edward Kroll · Answer

You need to get her a good attorney.  Immediately.  An attorney might be able to get a judge to lower her bail, and it's very important to have an experienced attorney put together her defense.  Attempted murder is obviously a serious charge, and should be faced with that same seriousness.  I am a former prosecutor and would be happy to speak to you about your daughter's case and her options, free of charge.  If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, the court will appoint her a public defender.  The advantage to a public defender is that you don't pay much.  The downside is that a public defender has a lot of cases on his/her plate and may not be able to focus solely on your daughter's case.

Harley Gutin · Answer

I would need to meet with you to discuss the allegations in the alleged attempted murder case.  The consultation is free.

Matthew Murillo · Answer

Consult with and hire an attorney. This is a very serious charge.

Jules N. Fiani · Answer

You need to hire a lawyer.

Carina Laguzzi · Answer

Hire an experienced criminal defense attorney and make sure she does not   talk about her case to anyone.

Kevin O'Grady · Answer

Hire a criminal attorney as quickly as possible.  The longer she is in jail, without an attorney working on her case and providing her support, the more pressure builds for her to plead guilty.  Additionally, her attorney needs to mount a defense quickly and speak to her quickly.

Jared Austin · Answer

That is an extremely serious charge. If she cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to her by the court. If possible, you should try getting an experienced criminal attorney, preferably one with experience in capital cases, to represent her or at least do a consultation with her in the jail. Get a copy of the police report and any evidence that they have against her as soon as possible. That can be done through a FOIA request or her lawyer can obtain it from the Prosecutor's Office. Make sure she pleads Not Guilty at the arraignment.

Joseph Dane · Answer

I hope it goes without saying that she needs to be represented by a good criminal defense attorney.  If you choose to and can afford to hire an attorney of your choosing, look for an attorney with felony trial experience and who routinely practices in the court where your daughter's case is being heard.  You don't specify how long she's been in and what stage the criminal process her case is in.  Her attorney may be investigating or reviewing discovery, etc.    I also don't know what her theory of innocence is - that she wasn't the one to do something, that she has an alibi, that she acted in self-defense Circumstantial evidence can be enough to convict, but the circumstances have to add up to proof beyond a reasonable doubt.    If she has an attorney currently, work with them - keep in mind that they may not be able to divulge certain aspects of the case to you for legal or ethical reasons, but I would assume they're keeping your daughter informed of any developments on the case.  If this is a recent arrest and she is unrepresented, focus on finding an attorney for her if you plan to hire one and she's not going with the public defender.  There may be defense investigation that needs to be done quickly before memories fade, evidence is lost, etc.  If this is a southern California case and you'd like to discuss it further, give my office a call and we can schedule a time to meet.    I wish you and your daughter the best.

Philip H. Brown · Answer

You need to hire an attorney that has extensive trial experience in violent crime defense. Attempted murder is a very serious crime which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Look for an attorney that exclusively practices criminal law and has worked as both as a prosecutor and a defense attorney.

Cynthia Henley · Answer

Hire a good lawyer who is ready and willing to fight for your daughter. The lawyer may be able to get the bond reduced, too, so that you can bond her out.

Eric Rothstein · Answer

Get a good criminal attorney who can do an investigation and mount a defense.

Christopher McCann · Answer

Hire a good local attorney immediately. She is entitled to bail as well, though it will be high. An attorney can get bail reviewed and perhaps lowered. She is also entitled to a preliminary hearing within 10 court days of her arraignment. You don't want to rush into things, but she can get a court to review the evidence and make a decision whether reasonable cause exists such that the case can go forward.

Find a Lawyer

Ask a Lawyer

Read Legal Articles

Ask a Lawyer

Read Legal Articles

What do I do if my daughter is in jail for attempted murder?

41 ANSWERS

Find Local Criminal Law Lawyers

Helpful Resources

Ask a Lawyer