CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

If you are charged with a crime, you have a right to defend yourself against those charges. A criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the criminal justice system, prepare and present your legal defense, and ensure your rights are protected.

Facing questioning from police, a judge, or a prosecutor is intimidating. Criminal Defense attorneys handle these interactions for a living. This experience is essential in crafting your legal defense, navigating jury selection, negotiating a plea bargain, and advocating for you at trial or during sentencing. Get a lawyer’s help today.

When To Hire A Criminal Defense Lawyer

Hiring an attorney is a personal choice but remember the importance of having quality legal representation when there are legal consequences like fines or time in prison on the line.

Some people represent themselves for less serious matters like traffic tickets. Other charges are more serious misdemeanors and felonies. In those cases, a defense attorney can help you learn about the charges and determine the best ways to build a case that proves your innocence or achieves a favorable plea bargain.

What Does A Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

Criminal defense lawyers focus on protecting the rights of defendants and helping them build defenses that reduce the negative consequences of being arrested. The defense attorney must also form a client relationship to know what is important to you before you set foot in the criminal court.

Within the criminal defense practice, an attorney might choose to specialize in specific areas of criminal law, like drug charges, violent crimes, federal charges, or sex crimes. By specializing in specific areas, an attorney has the time to build strong knowledge and experience defending against these types of charges.

Investigative Abilities

A defense attorney has to spend time going through evidence pertaining to the charges. This can include calling in outside help to investigate the case, speaking to witnesses, finding expert witnesses, and gathering additional evidence that can improve the chances of a not guilty verdict.

Guide the Defendant

There are multiple ways that a criminal case can be resolved in the legal system. An experienced attorney has to help a defendant decide how to proceed with their defense. This might include giving legal advice, negotiating with the prosecuting attorney for a suitable plea deal, and creating ways to cast reasonable doubt as to your guilt. If you don’t want a plea agreement or if one isn’t possible, your attorney then has to develop a strong defense strategy to best protect your interests.

Present a Defense

Without a plea deal, a criminal defendant’s case will likely go to trial. Your defense attorney will present your side of the story before the judge and jury. Not all lawyers have the same trial experience. Your lawyer must be familiar with the laws and statutes of your case and be able to make persuasive arguments to the jury advocating for a not guilty verdict. They should also know when to argue for a mistrial.

Appeal Decisions When Necessary

There are sometimes instances when it’s necessary to appeal a conviction or sentence. Criminal defense lawyers handle this aspect of the criminal justice system. Appeals in criminal cases can be very complex, so in-depth knowledge of the appeals process is helpful in those cases.

With the potential consequences you face due to a conviction, it is easy to understand why having legal representation is so important to fight your criminal charges.