If you have been accused of committing a crime, the first and most important decision you will need to make is choosing a criminal defense attorney to represent you. At the Douglas County, Nebraska law firm of Petersen Criminal Defense Law, we understand the gravity of the situation you are facing and the importance of choosing the right attorney. Our criminal defense team is dedicated to providing you with an aggressive and zealous defense because we understand that your freedom and your future is at stake.
The History of Douglas County, Nebraska
Named after Stephen Arnold Douglas (1813-1861), Douglas County, Nebraska was established in 1854. Douglas was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1842 and to the United States Senate in 1847 from the State of Illinois. Douglas was an exceptional orator and was known for his outspoken support for a policy of national expansion. As a Senator, Douglas introduced the bill in 1854 which created the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The Act officially deemed what we now know as Kansas and Nebraska to be organized territories. It also repealed the Missouri Compromise which prohibited slavery north of the 36°30′ latitude line, instead allowing each new territory to decide, by popular sovereignty, whether to become a free or slave state. Interestingly, Douglas’s opposition to his third term in the Senate was none other than Abraham Lincoln. The issue of slavery was a frequent subject of debate between the two during the campaign. Although Douglas was eventually reelected, Lincoln gained national exposure as a result of the slavery debates. Douglas went on to win the Presidential nomination by the Democratic Party during the election of 1860; however, the growing division between the North and the South resulted in southern Democrats nominating their own candidate. Consequently, neither Democrat had the support necessary to win the election and the Republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln, became the President. Nebraska went on to be admitted as the 37th State of the United States in 1867, making Douglas County an official county of the State of Nebraska.
Douglas County, Nebraska Today
Douglas County is located on the very eastern edge of Nebraska, along the Missouri River and just across the border from the state of Iowa. The county covers just over 339 square miles and has a population of about half a million people, making it the most populous county in the state of Nebraska as well as being home to one in four Nebraska residents. The state’s largest city, Omaha, can also be found in Douglas County.
Visitors and residents alike will find plenty to do throughout Douglas County. For adventure seekers, the underground caves at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium are a must-see. For art lovers, the Joslyn Art Museum offers more than 11,000 works of art. If you want a hands-on experience, try the Hot Shops Art Center. Performing arts options include the Omaha Symphony, Omaha Theater Company, and Opera Omaha, along with the highly acclaimed children’s theater, The Rose Theater. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the county’s numerous walking and biking trails and the area’s five lakes and two rivers. Finally, you will find a wide array of shopping and dining options throughout Douglas County, from boutique shops and specialty eateries to five-star dining and designer stores.
Petersen Criminal Defense Law in the Douglas County Community
Finding yourself the defendant in a criminal prosecution is a frightening experience for most people. Understandably, you are worried about the eventual outcome of your case; however, in the meantime, you are probably also intimidated by the need to navigate the criminal justice system. At Petersen Criminal Defense Law we have been defending people just like you in the Douglas County community for over two decades. We understand what you are going through and are committed to defending you and your rights every step of the way.
If this is your first brush with the criminal justice system in Douglas County, you likely do not know what to expect as a defendant in a criminal prosecution nor from your attorney-client relationship. Retaining an experienced criminal defense attorney is the best thing you can do for yourself and your future after an arrest. Often, the police and/or prosecuting attorney will lead a defendant to believe that a conviction is a foregone conclusion. That is rarely the case. The truth is there are often defenses available that may prevent a conviction altogether or which can be used to negotiate a more favorable guilty plea agreement. It is imperative, however, that you exercise your right to remain silent and refrain from talking to the police or the prosecuting attorney before you are able to consult with an attorney. If it is advantageous for you to speak to the authorities, your attorney will discuss that option with you and accompany you to the meeting.
Because every criminal prosecution involves a unique set of facts and circumstances, it is also important you do not compare your case with that of a friend, family member, or even a stranger’s you read about on the internet. Only an experienced criminal defense attorney can evaluate all the relevant information pertaining to your case and provide you with advice and guidance and/or answer questions about the likely outcome of your case. Finally, remember the State of Nebraska has the burden of proving your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It is your defense attorney’s job to ensure you are not convicted unless the State meets its burden. We will leave no stone unturned, and no conceivable defense overlooked, in our quest to prevent a conviction.
The criminal defense team at Petersen Criminal Defense Law has a long history of protecting and defending the rights of people who have been accused of a crime, and we would be honored to provide that same protection and defense to you.
Contact Us
If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Douglas County, Nebraska, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to discuss your legal rights and/or defenses. In Nebraska contact Petersen Criminal Defense Law 24 hours a day at 402-509-8070.
