When you are in the midst of a case that may have a serious impact on your life, or are facing jail or prison time, it is essential to have a good criminal defense attorney to protect your interests before it is too late.
Another factor to consider: community pressures, values, and politics all play a huge role in many cases. The public, having heard the details about a particularly controversial case, may become impassioned and eager to see you punished for a crime you may or may not be guilty of. In addition, prosecutors aim for success, and police naturally expect that the reports they bring to the prosecutor will become charge cases. Ideally, the criminal justice system would be immune to these influences, but this is not so.
Your best defense is an experienced attorney who can protect your freedom and any future earning potential that could potentially be damaged by a criminal conviction. Here are other vital ways a criminal defense attorney can make or break your case.
-Reduction of imprisonment or punishment: A good attorney can help you even if you are actually guilty of the crime by negotiating to reduce your sentence and/or minimizing the amount of fines you can expect to pay. The <a href=”http://www.ggjlaw.com” target=”_blank”>sooner you hire a lawyer</a>, the better, as your ignorance of criminal law can end up costing you during the latter part of your case.
-Proper investigation: It is possible that the law enforcement officers who arrested or apprehended you may have missed vital evidence that could prove your innocence in court. Your criminal defense attorney can view all angles of your case and use their resources to obtain key evidence that will aid in your defense.
-Guidance: Whether you have knowledge of the system or not, it is never a great idea to represent yourself in the courtroom because of your emotional ties and stake in the case. A good criminal defense attorney can use their knowledge of law to make sure all of the ground is covered. They can also guide you through the complexities of hearings, testimonies, and paperwork and ensure that you do not say or do anything that would potentially jeopardize your case.
-Reputation: You can benefit from your lawyer’s experience in more ways than one-an attorney who has dealt with many cases similar to yours is more likely to be familiar with the judges and prosecutors who will work on your case. Most importantly, they probably already know how to negotiate with them. An established reputation can be a very formidable tool in the courtroom, in these instances. Need to find a defense lawyer? Go here!.