An accused individual taken into custody on suspicion of a crime generally has the burden of proof against the judicial system. In most situations, people are not fully aware of the laws, their rights, and the protections afforded them under the constitution and are not savvy to navigate sessions with law enforcement or the court system.
For this reason, many innocent people have found themselves victims of guilty verdicts and jail or prison sentences despite being innocent. Perhaps they attempted to represent themself against the court system. They might have had a public defender with little interest in the case.
But it’s unlikely many of these individuals sought legal counsel from a criminal lawyer specializing in protecting the accused’s rights. The goal of this attorney is to piece together the facts in the case, separating these from what law enforcement and the prosecution present as their charges.
The lawyer does this in an effort to establish a strong, viable defense, attempt to expedite the proceedings and assure the defendant of the best possible verdict. Why do you need to hire a good criminal defense attorney? Let’s look at some of the reasons.
Why Do The Accused Need A Criminal Lawyer
You don’t have to be guilty to receive jail time or a prison sentence. There are plenty of innocent people in the system, many of whom were wrongly accused.
The sad story is that a lot of these people opted to try to defend themselves against a savvy law enforcement and court system or use a public defender. These lawyers are often bogged down with cases and unable to exert the necessary effort each case requires.
This is one reason hiring a criminal lawyer specific to your case is essential. It’s not necessarily easy, specifically the affordability factor, but it is vital when looking at the alternatives.
With the right attorney present when you receive charges and are being investigated, your rights will be protected, and the officials will be held to following “due process” throughout. Learn what a criminal defense lawyer does at https://wp.nyu.edu/dispatch/what-does-a-criminal-defense-lawyer-do/. Why does an accused need a good criminal lawyer? Let’s learn.
- The attorney has adequate legal experience and specific criminal defense knowledge
The criminal defense attorney will have studied in the specific arena and practiced in the field for some time. With sufficient knowledge of the intricacies of the legal system, the lawyer can navigate the most complex case guiding clients through the processes and offering them the necessary tools to adequately prepare them for their time in court.
When searching for the best professional for your specific needs, it’s essential to look for someone with experience with cases similar to the accusations you’re facing. It’s also wise to invest in someone with several years in the criminal defense field plus look at their success as a defense attorney.
It might seem like a lot to concern yourself with when under immense pressure, but facing criminal charges is serious. Depending on the implications, the repercussions could be severe. It’s vital to ensure the person helping you is ideal.
- The attorney will work diligently to build a strong defense
The goal of a good criminal lawyer is to build a strong defense against the charges brought by the law enforcement team and the prosecutors on the case. The strategy established needs to cover all the bases, or there could be severe consequences, including the potential for heavy fines and a prison sentence.
The attorney will work through the prosecutor’s evidence, listen to the events presented by you and attempt to establish a case. In doing so, there will need to be an assessment of how the investigation was handled, “retention and scrutinizing expert eyewitness details,” preparing defendant testimony and finding methods for discrediting evidence or getting it tossed out.
When a lawyer is able to develop a powerful strategy, it’s possible to have a case dismissed, resulting in a minimal fine, or the defendant could receive an alternative or lesser jail time or prison sentence. Click to learn the differences between a “defense” and a “trial” lawyer.
- The lawyer has the potential for expediting the case
In hiring an excellent criminal attorney, their defense strategy can be integral in getting your name cleared. Often, many criminal cases can be extensive, which grows exceptionally stressful for the defendant and financially draining.
Also, the longer the case goes, the more people become aware that you’re purported to be entangled in criminal activity. That can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life.
The defense attorney has the potential to ensure the case progresses by handling the intricacies of the documentation and “mitigating the risks as they arise.”
- The criminal lawyer will protect the rights of the defendant
Generally, when someone is arrested and brought into custody, the individual is not always aware of their rights and what protection is afforded them under the constitution.
The priority is always to institute the right to remain silent when arrested under any conditions, with the only information provided to an officer being the standard identification.
Any other questions or requests can wait until there is a criminal defense lawyer present who will determine what you should and should not provide to the officials or the court system voluntarily without incriminating yourself.
This is a primary reason for hiring a criminal lawyer. The professional has your best interest as their priority. The attorney will ensure your rights are protected, that you receive a fair and just trial, and offer a strategy to minimize the repercussions as much as possible or have the case completely dismissed.
These are not things you can do as a representative for yourself, nor can a public defender who is focused on a multitude of other cases and might confuse many of those while attempting to concentrate on yours.
Final Thought
An accused person taken into custody for a criminal offense has the opportunity to remain silent and ask for an attorney. That’s their right, and everyone finding themself in that situation should take advantage of that protection.