Criminal Defense Attorney in Rapid City, SD

Pennington County Criminal Defense Lawyers Ready to Defend You

If you or someone you love has been arrested for or charged with a crime, it is critical that you seek professional legal representation right away. Your rights, your freedom, and your future are all at stake; you need a powerful legal team that can protect your best interests and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

At Beardsley, Jensen & Lee, we have more than 100 years of combined legal experience and have helped clients facing all types of serious criminal accusations and arrests. We work directly with our clients, providing personal attention and a team-based approach that allows us to pool our collective knowledge, resources, and skills to develop innovative legal strategies and build solid defenses. We are aggressive when it comes to protecting our clients’ rights, and our team is prepared to do whatever it takes to defend your best interests during pre-trial proceedings, as well as in the courtroom.

Do not wait to contact our criminal defense attorneys in Rapid City, SD, for legal help. Call (605) 777-7466 or contact us online now for a free and confidential consultation.

Types of Criminal Cases We Handle in Rapid City

Our firm represents clients throughout Pennington County and across South Dakota who are under investigation for or have been charged with all types of criminal offenses.

We regularly handle criminal defense cases involving:

• Drug crimes, such as possession, distribution, and trafficking
• Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs (DUI)
• Property crimes, including vandalism, arson, burglary, and robbery
• Violent crimes, such as assault, domestic violence, homicide, and murder

Regardless of the seriousness of your charges, our team is here to help you understand and protect your rights. We recommend that you contact us as soon as possible so as to avoid making any mistakes that could jeopardize your case—and your freedom.

What to Do If You or a Loved One Is Arrested in South Dakota

If you or someone you love is arrested—or is even merely under investigation for a criminal offense—it is important that you know your rights. Regardless of the accusation or charges, there are several steps you should take to protect yourself and limit mistakes that could threaten your future and your freedom.

If you are arrested for a crime in South Dakota, be sure to do the following:

• Stay Calm: Remain as calm as possible to avoid risk to yourself. Make sure you keep your hands where the arresting officer can see them and do not resist arrest. Do not lie or provide false information to the police but remember that you do not have to provide any information beyond identifying yourself.
• Stay Silent: The best thing you can do if you are arrested is remain silent. Inform the arresting officer that you wish to enact your right to stay silent and do not answer any questions aside from providing your name. You do NOT have to answer any questions about where you were born, what you were doing, where you live, etc.—nor should you. Do not try to explain yourself or give any details but instead, clearly and directly state your desire to remain silent.
• Do Not Consent to a Search of Your Property/Belongings: You do NOT have to allow the arresting officer to search your vehicle, home, or personal belongings. However, the officer may conduct a pat-down if they suspect you are carrying or have a weapon. Even if you object to a search of your property/belongings, the officer may still conduct one. By making a timely objection, you can protect yourself at future criminal proceedings.
• Contact an Attorney: You have the right to an attorney, and you should enact this right as soon as possible. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one for you. You should avoid speaking to law enforcement and never sign anything without your attorney present.

The sooner you reach out to a criminal defense attorney, the sooner they can begin protecting your rights and building your case. We encourage you to contact our criminal defense lawyers in Rapid City if you or someone you care about has been arrested or accused of a crime anywhere in Pennington County or throughout South Dakota.

Why Should You Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

There are many reasons you should hire a criminal defense attorney if you are facing a criminal charge. Some of these reasons include:

You Need a Professional

Because a criminal defense is a serious charge, having a professional to take care of the challenges you have ahead of you will be extremely important. Trying to handle the case on your own would do you little good.

It’s Important to Know Your Options

You likely do not know all of the in’s and out’s of the law. An experienced attorney does though and they can help you know what all of your options are. They’re there to help you and have your best interests in mind.

Time Isn’t On Your Side

If you were arrested and charged, you need to act quickly. Your case can easily get worse for you as the prosecutors gather evidence. An attorney will help you enter negotiations as soon as possible to reduce or even eliminate the charges against you.

What Penalties Do You Face If You Are Convicted of a Crime in South Dakota?

Different types of crimes correspond to different penalties. Additionally, the severity of the alleged offense, as well as the existence of a criminal record, play a key role in determining the penalties you may face if convicted.

That being said, many criminal offenses are associated with the following penalties:

• A sentence in county jail or state/federal prison
• Hundreds to thousands of dollars in fines
• Court costs and other associated fees
• Restitution to victims
• Probation
• Mandatory community service

In some cases, you may also face certain administrative penalties. For example, if convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), your driver’s license will be suspended for anywhere from 30 days to 1 year or more.

In any case, a conviction can seriously affect your rights, your reputation, and your freedom. Additionally, if you are convicted of a criminal offense in South Dakota, you will have a public criminal record, which can affect your ability to obtain or maintain employment, secure housing, attain loans and lines of credit, and more.

About The Rapid City Community

Rapid City, also known as "Swift Water City", is located east of the Black Hills National Forest in western South Dakota. In addition to being a gateway to Mt. Rushmore, it is also known as the site of four iconic U.S. presidents' sculptures. Downtown are several blocks of life-size statues titled "City of Presidents." There is also a museum and learning center north of Rapid Creek, which bisects the city.

Request a Free, Confidential Case Evaluation with Our Team

If you have been arrested on drug possession charges, charged with DUI, or are under investigation for a serious violent offense, do not hesitate to reach out to our team at Beardsley, Jensen & Lee today. With over a century of combined experience, our Rapid City criminal defense attorneys are prepared to immediately begin an investigation into your charges and start gathering supporting evidence to build your case.

Why Hire Us?

In addition to their commitment to the highest level of service, representation, and ethics, our attorneys have been recognized by numerous prestigious legal organizations. Martindale-Hubbell® has awarded our founding attorneys the highest possible peer-review rating (AV® Preeminent), and other members of our firm have received honors from local and national publications.

We provide confidential consultations free of charge; call (605) 777-7466 to schedule yours today.