Being charged with a crime can be an extremely stressful event in anyone’s life. It is important to know what your rights are and how you can protect them. One of the most difficult parts about being charged with a crime is knowing whether or not you should fight it yourself or get help from an attorney. This article will cover some of the basics of what a Rochester criminal attorney does, that every citizen should know.
Investigates Client’s Charges
A criminal defense lawyer must first investigate their client’s charges. These investigations can be as simple as reviewing the police report or as complex as hiring an expert to analyze evidence and testimony before court proceedings begin. A criminal defense lawyer must also look into any possible defenses that would help exonerate their clients of guilt. This includes evaluating whether or not a defendant is guilty and the potential penalty of the crime.
Make a Defense Plan
Once an investigation is complete, criminal defense lawyers must make a court defense plan for their clients. Their chosen strategy will depend on several factors related to both the case and the defendant’s personal situation. For example, defendants with prior convictions or those involved in complex cases involving multiple people or agencies may need a more complex legal defense.
Plead Guilty
If the defendant is guilty of their crimes, they must decide if it’s in their best interest to plead guilty and cut a deal with prosecutors. A criminal defense lawyer will help defendants weigh out important factors for them before making this decision. Some factors that people often consider include the possibility of receiving a lighter sentence, avoiding public scrutiny, and having their case go away quickly.
Try to Fight It
If defendants are not guilty or feel like they have better chances fighting the charges against them, then it’s time for trial. A criminal defense lawyer must use all available resources in order to build a strong case for their client. During this time, defendants must be patient and wait to see if the trial ends with positive results or not.
Protects You from Exploitation by the Government
Criminal case procedures and laws are complex, and it’s easy for defendants to get confused or unsure about their legal rights in the process. This is why hiring a criminal defense lawyer is so important – they can protect you from being exploited by the government, resulting in unfair penalties.
Developing the Best theory of defense
Your criminal defense attorney will look into the facts of your case, including the details of your charges, witness statements, and law enforcement investigation. They will develop a strategy for how they best believe you should handle your case based on those facts.
Once an attorney has developed their defense theory, they must investigate all avenues for it to be effective. This could include gathering evidence such as phone records or medical records, which may help your defense. For example, if you were charged with a DUI following an accident that another party caused, evidence of reckless driving on the part of the other driver might be helpful in reducing or eliminating responsibility for the collision from yourself to the other person.
Finally, hiring a criminal defense attorney is worthwhile. They don’t only protect you from exploitation, but they fight so that you can receive a fair judgment.
