What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?
This post was last updated on April 19th, 2024
When faced with criminal charges, you could end up with severe penalties, hefty fines, imprisonment, and drastic impacts on your personal and professional life.
To defend you against these charges, you need reliable criminal defense attorneys from reputable firms like www.patrickmcnallylegal.com/. Your criminal defense attorney will not only represent you during court proceedings, they can also serve as your confidant, protector, and guide within the complex criminal justice system.
Whether they’re court-appointed paid by the government or private lawyers hired by the defendant, criminal defense lawyers fulfill many crucial roles. However, there are still plenty of clients and prospective clients who have no clear idea about an attorney’s roles and responsibilities. Knowing what they do will help you understand what you can expect as you face those charges.
Here are the things that criminal defense attorney do:
Assessing the case
Once a criminal defense lawyer gets appointed or hired, they will personally meet with the client to discuss the case. Your attorney will interview you and get as many details about the case as possible. They will carefully and thoroughly question you to assess the case and learn about its strengths and weaknesses. Even if a defendant is at fault, a good criminal defense attorney will suggest possible defenses to tackle the problem. The Ladan Law Firm explains how you can prepare for an expungement hearing on their blog.
Collecting information and investigating the case
A criminal defense lawyer needs to determine any possible avenues that will acquit a defendant. Aside from interviewing their client, a criminal defense lawyer will also investigate the case further. They will gather other valuable information from the police officers, witnesses, and experts. Your attorney may question the police about the procedures they used in conjunction with your case. They may also call upon witnesses or experts who can support your claims. Sometimes, an attorney may also visit the scene of the crime to see whether various accounts that took place make sense.
Analyzing the evidence
A criminal defense lawyer must analyze the information and evidence against the defendant. It’s their responsibility to identify any loopholes against the prosecution’s case and figure out smart strategies that can support you and get your case dismissed or lowered. To do this job, they need to study the facts and theories surrounding the case carefully. They need to examine all the evidence to see if any legal theories work against their client’s conviction.
Keeping the client updated
In most criminal cases, the defense lawyer may have to appear at the court several times. It’s one of their responsibilities, and they must do this promptly. If there is any new information or updates about the case, the lawyer should also contact their client and explain these developments. That way, the defendant has a clear grasp and understanding of the possible consequences.
Jury selection
When your case moves forward in court, your criminal defense attorney will assist with the jury selection process. They will interview prospective jurors and try to remove anyone who may be biased against the defendant. This step is critical in the trial process and should be done correctly. By choosing the right juror, the defense attorney can increase your chances of a successful outcome for your trial.
Plea bargaining
Not all defendants may be lucky enough to come out from the criminal charges scratch-free. For some, avoiding trial and accepting a plea bargain is a much smarter move. A criminal defense attorney also has the responsibility to determine potential sentences and the likelihood of a particular judge awarding them to you. In case a plea bargain is the best choice, the criminal defense attorney will negotiate with the prosecutor to help you secure a favorable deal that will reduce the charges.
Representing the client at court
If you’d rather go to trial than accept a plea bargain, a criminal defense lawyer will represent you in court and argue on your behalf. They will present your defense, cross-examine witnesses, and attempt to convince the jury that the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof.
Sentencing
A criminal defense attorney can also represent and support you during the sentencing phase if you accepted the plea bargain or the judge convicted you for your crime. During this step, your lawyer may try to convince the judge to lower your punishment or sentence other possible alternatives to incarceration.
Consult with the best criminal defense attorney
Before you hire a criminal defense attorney, it’s vital to know their roles and responsibilities to help you keep track of their work and progress. A criminal defense attorney will play a very crucial role in your trial, so your lawyer must be committed to their roles and responsibilities.
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