Individuals charged with criminal offenses potentially face spending time in jail or prison, having to pay fines and other costs, and face receiving other potential penalties if they are convicted of a crime. A misdemeanor or felony conviction often means facing life-altering consequences for many people. Still, some people think that they have the ability to represent themselves in court.
One of the biggest mistakes that a person charged with a crime can make is to assume that it is easy to resolve their case without hiring a criminal defense attorney. A criminal defense attorney has the skills you need to win your case or to have the best possible outcome. Understanding what a criminal defense lawyer can do to help you win your case is important whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or a felony criminal offense. People are likely to have questions about why they should hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent them when they face criminal charges.
What are the Responsibilities of a Criminal Defense Attorney?
A criminal defense attorney performs far more duties than representing a client at trial. Most individuals likely do not understand the complex responsibilities of an attorney and the comprehensive work that goes into representing clients. The attorney has to first build the case. Building your case has several components that takes time, effort and the professional skills of the attorney. Speaking to you to learn about you and the situation that led to your charges, getting information about witnesses and interviewing them are aspects of building a case.
Your criminal defense attorney has the knowledge to know what drafts or motions to file on your behalf, and how to present and argue a motion to suppress evidence. Do you know how to perform these duties? Consider this before you think about representing yourself in a criminal case. Consider this as an important reason to trust in a criminal defense attorney who has experience and knowledge related to these responsibilities.
Attorneys research case law, interpret laws, statutes and rulings, and perform an analysis of legal issues. They also communicate with clients as they perform their duties related to building the case and developing a strategy to present the case and defend the client.
Attorneys know that they have a duty of confidentiality to their clients. They also keep clients informed about developments in their case, and of their legal options.
Some other responsibilities of a criminal defense lawyer include making sure that their client’s rights are not violated, and advising their client so that the client does not do or say anything that could hurt their legal case.
How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help Me Win my Case?
Criminal defense attorneys work to represent clients based on the specific facts and details of their case. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to providing legal representation for a client that is facing criminal charges.
A criminal defense attorney who works in the best interest of their clients has the expertise to seek the best possible outcome that favors their client. The American Bar Association published the Criminal Justice Standards for the Defense Function on their site, which indicates in Standard 4-1.2(b) that criminal defense lawyers have a difficult task before them to serve as officers of the court, and also to serve as “loyal and zealous advocates” for clients.
Dedicated, experienced criminal defense attorneys care about their clients, and represent each of their clients with the courage and high-quality, effective legal representation that is described in Part 1 of the Criminal Justice Standards. They act as both advocates and advisors to every client, while presenting evidence and aggressively defending their client at every step of their criminal case, and sometimes beyond the end of the case. Some attorneys prepare and file appeals for their clients.
How Do I Hire the Right Criminal Defense Attorney for my Needs?
Some criminal defense attorneys represent any client that contacts them, no matter the charges, and no matter how little they know about the case. Some qualities that you or your loved one should seek when hiring a criminal defense lawyer include:
- Making sure that the attorney has experience representing clients facing similar charges
- Making sure that the criminal defense lawyer understands the importance of providing aggressive representation to avoid the consequences of a conviction
- Asking the criminal defense attorney if they will provide an aggressive strategic defense
- Learning whether the lawyer has a reputation in the courtroom and for winning cases
- Discovering whether the attorney genuinely respects their clients and treats them with dignity even though they are charged with a crime
- Learning whether the criminal defense lawyer will handle the case or if they will pass it off to another lawyer
Do not be afraid to ask any questions that you may have before hiring the ideal criminal defense attorney to help you with the best path forward, and to provide you with the best chances of avoiding a conviction. Look towards the future with confidence when you hire an attorney that can do what needs to be done at every step to help you have the best chance of winning your case and to have the best opportunity to continue enjoying your freedom and opportunities for the future.
