When accused of a crime, one of two things can happen. You can be proven innocent after being tried in the law court, or you can be proven guilty and face the penalties for the crime.
From the moment of the arrest, everything you do can and will be used against you by the opposing counsel. As such, you need to be strategic about your moves. And the best way to ensure this is to have a professional Sean Fagan criminal defense lawyer holding your hands. The right lawyer can help you improve the outcome of a criminal case in court.
In case you are still contemplating whether to hire a criminal defense lawyer or not. Here is a breakdown of some of their functions.
What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?
Assignment of the Case
The criminal defense lawyer’s job begins the moment they are assigned the case. They can be contacted by the defendant directly, or the court may assign the case to them if the defendant has no lawyer.
Most people may tend to prefer a private defense lawyer to a public defender assigned by the court. This is because public defenders usually have a big workload and may not have the time to dedicate to their cases.
Interview About The Case
After a person has contacted a criminal defense lawyer, they meet with the person in order to get whatever details they can concerning the case. They will interview the defendant carefully and thoroughly by asking specific important questions about the case. This will help them to know the strengths and weaknesses of the case and also help them to know the best approach to take in handling the case.
They Investigate The Case
A criminal defense lawyer thoroughly investigates the case to determine evidence that will acquit the defendant. This process includes investigating the crime scene, working together with the police, speaking with witnesses that have valuable information regarding the case, collecting evidence, analyzing and critiquing the facts of the case, and so on. They go through all this process and more to help them build a strong defense for the case.
They Analyse The Evidence
After collecting substantial evidence around the case, the criminal defense lawyer will carefully study those pieces of evidence to determine how they will impact the case. In some cases, they can have the evidence tested independently. For instance, if it’s a crime involving murder, they can have blood samples tested by an expert lab. They can also have other incriminating evidence tested at a forensics lab.
They Maintain Contact With The Client
Through the process of investigating the case, the criminal defense lawyer will maintain contact with the client. They will inform the client of any developments that arise and how they are likely to be affected by such developments. They will also keep the client updated throughout the duration of the case and guide them on how to go through each phase of the case.
They Participate in Jury Selection
Criminal defense lawyers are often involved in the process of selecting the jury for a case. If they have cause to believe that some jurors may be biased towards the defendant, either due to racial differences, gender differences or for any other cause, they can try to have them removed as members of the jury.
Plea Bargaining
In a plea bargain, the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a lighter sentencing or a dismissal of other related charges. This is usually seen in cases where the criminal defense attorney knows that the defendant is guilty and doesn’t stand a chance in the law court. The defense lawyer can negotiate the plea bargain with the prosecutor on behalf of the defendant. Some criminal cases can be resolved through plea bargains without making it to the court of law.
They Participate in Court Trials
During the trial, the criminal defense lawyer will examine all witnesses, and counter the evidence of the prosecutor, while trying to convince the selected jury that the prosecuting party has failed to meet the burden of proof.
They Can Influence Sentencing Outcomes
A criminal defense lawyer can also influence the sentencing outcomes. If the defendant is proven guilty and is to face jail time, they can discuss factors that will convince the jury to reduce the jail time. They can also discuss other sentencing options in place of incarceration.
Criminal defense lawyers work hard to defend the rights of people who have been accused of a crime. They protect them from any injustice in the judicial system and ensure that they have a fair trial in the law court. If you have been accused of committing a crime, make haste to speak to a criminal defense lawyer today.
Everything You Need To Know About Becoming a Criminal Lawyer
Everything You Need To Know About Becoming a Criminal Lawyer