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.