How To Find The Best Criminal Defense Lawyer

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  Posted By
  Victoria Stephens

• Published On
  Sat, April 16

• Reading Time
  4 Minutes

Whether you decide to plead guilty or not guilty to criminal charges getting legal advice and representation from an experienced criminal lawyer can change the outcome of your case. Here’s 3 of the main reasons why.

1. Help you avoid prison time

A criminal defence lawyer may be able to help you avoid imprisonment, although this is not always guaranteed. If you’re convicted after a trial and proceed to a sentencing hearing, your lawyer is well-versed in matters of sentencing law.

In summary, they can present the best possible plea mitigation that could work to your advantage, and help you avoid prison.

2. Objectivity

Your lawyer is also there to provide a much-needed reality check for you. They should be upfront and honest about the reality that you could face, at all times. Often times this perspective is needed. These can be times of great stress which can make your own judgement less than it usually is.

3. Simplify the complexity of the law

You might be unsure about the criminal law surrounding the charge you face, and what it means for you. This is where a criminal defence lawyer unpacks it all and explains it to you.

Your lawyer will steer you through the criminal law matter to help you better understand it, and the consequences you could face. Ultimately, this saves you a ton of stress and worry.

What does a criminal defense lawyer do?

There is a wide range of tasks that criminal defense lawyers provide. These include but aren’t exclusively; research the facts, investigate the case against their clients, and try to negotiate deals with their adversaries (prosecutors). These deals might include reduced bail, reduced charges, and reduced sentences.

This timeline ranges from the interview about the case, investigation into the case, analysis of evidence, continued contact with the client, jury selection, please bargaining, trial participation and sentencing.

Criminal attorneys fight to ensure that innocent clients don’t go to jail for crimes they didn’t commit and that guilty clients face penalties commensurate with their crimes rather than unduly harsh sentences dictated by passion or discrimination. Whenever possible, they also help their clients fight to achieve whatever quality of life they can post-trial.

Is a Private Attorney Better Than a Public Defender?

Usually, a public defender is appointed to defendants who cannot afford to hire a private lawyer and who requests one to be appointed. Therefore, the defendant does not have to pay for his or her lawyer, which can otherwise be very expensive.

One of the advantages of a public defender is that they are familiar with a variety of criminal cases and usually have experience working on criminal cases. They work with prosecutors on a routine basis and may have a better relationship with them that can help get plea agreements through.

Criminal attorneys fight to ensure that innocent clients don’t go to jail for crimes they didn’t commit and that guilty clients face penalties commensurate with their crimes rather than unduly harsh sentences dictated by passion or discrimination. Whenever possible, they also help their clients fight to achieve whatever quality of life they can post-trial.

A private lawyer is someone whom the defendant or his or her family personally selects.

For many people, the only disadvantage of hiring a private lawyer is having to pay for his or her services. This can sometimes be a substantial amount especially if the case is serious. However, the advantages of hiring a private lawyer often far outweigh the disadvantage of having to pay for the services he or she provides.

Ultimately it is up to the individuals preferences and circumstances that will determine their choice.