Navigating the complicated legal world can be incredibly difficult, which is why a professional criminal defense attorney can greatly increase your chances of winning a case. If you want to learn what a criminal defense lawyer is, here’s an overview of their role and how they help defendants in and outside of court.
What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?
What is a criminal defense lawyer? They’re a shield for those who have been wrongfully accused, whether because of discrimination, deceit, or other unjust motivations. Criminal defense lawyers defend the rights of their clients and assist them in gaining their acquittal or better outcome than they would have originally had.
Some criminal defense lawyers specialize in certain cases like domestic abuse or drug charges, allowing them to become more familiar and knowledgeable of that particular field. While defendants can contact defense attorneys directly for legal assistance, they may be instead assigned a public defender by the court.
Criminal Defense Lawyers Perform Investigations and Interviews
If you ask someone what a criminal defense lawyer is, they’ll likely include intense courtroom debates in their answer. However, this is only a fraction of the truth. In reality, criminal defense attorneys do a lot of investigative work outside of court and will try to resolve the case in a manner favorable to their client before it reaches a trial.
Gathering evidence that can be used to defend their client is an integral aspect of what a criminal defense lawyer does, which usually begins by speaking with the defendant themselves. They’ll meet with their client and learn more information about the case by asking questions to become more acquainted with the situation. During this time, criminal defense lawyers also inform their clients of the rights of the accused and help them understand other important aspects of the legal process.
Using the knowledge gained from the client, as well as any potential weaknesses or strengths of their case, a defense attorney will set out to conduct further investigations. There are numerous methods and avenues of gaining new evidence to bolster their case, including the following:
- Questioning the police
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Working with professionals to review crucial evidence
- Going over the prosecution’s case to find any shortcomings
What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do in Court?
Before going to trial, criminal defense lawyers will try to find ways to end the case. Sometimes, they may choose to arrange a plea deal with the prosecutor, which is a negotiation that reduces the charges and punishment of the client in exchange for a confession. Alternatively, they can attempt to convince the prosecutor that the case isn’t strong by presenting vital evidence.
If a case does go to trial, then a criminal defense attorney will cross-examine witnesses and try to prove to the jury and judge that the prosecution has not sufficiently met the burden of proof. Lawyers can also help with the jury selection itself by having any jurors removed that are deemed too biased.
What is a criminal defense lawyer going to do if their client is found guilty? Should the prosecution win the case, then the defense attorney can help during the sentencing phase to convince the judge to reduce their client’s charges.
If You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney, Contact Vigneault Law Firm Today
Anyone who needs assistance from a criminal defense attorney in Somerset County, NJ, and the surrounding area, reach out to Vigneault Law Firm. Our legal experts can handle a wide range of cases, including complex divorce. For more information on what a criminal defense attorney is and to schedule a consultation, give us a call today.