We all know that lawyers can help defend people against criminal accusations, but the average citizen won’t know much more about the work they do, outside of what’s portrayed in movies and on TV.
So when a close relative is in legal trouble, how will an attorney assist them, and what do you need to know about the broader process of being accused of a crime?
Giving expert advice
First and most importantly, a lawyer is the only person who will be able to give good advice to anyone accused of a crime, which is why contacting an experienced professional to represent a family member in this scenario is a must.
They’ll tell them how to proceed, how to handle police interviews, and what to do at every stage if the case progresses to a formal charge being made, and a trial taking place.
How to hire the right criminal defense lawyer
As an aside, looking for experienced criminal defense lawyers is essential if someone you love is having a tough time.
Specialists in criminal law as it relates to your state or region should be prioritized. They’ll be clued-up on every little part of local legislation, and can use this to defend their clients comprehensively.
Investigating the facts
Another important part of what you can expect from a criminal defense lawyer is that they will take on the task of digging into the case and using what they find to build a defensive strategy to best serve their client.
As well as assessing the evidence that’s been collected, they’ll also speak with any witnesses that are being called, and will also have access to the case being brought by the prosecution.
If necessary, they’ll bring in other investigators to tackle the legwork, and can assemble entire teams to fight for your family member against any accusations they face. It sounds like the plot of a mystery novel, but it’s all grounded in actual events.
Selecting jury members
There’s a chance that any accusation of a crime will eventually lead to a trial, and when a jury is involved in determining the guilt or innocence of the accused, the process of selecting people to stand as jurors is carefully orchestrated.
An attorney working on behalf of your relative will review the prospective jury members, and veto anyone who they believe will have an unbalanced outlook.
Defending clients during a trial
The mounting of a defense in front of a judge and jury is what makes criminal defense lawyers so widely used in fiction as a way of adding drama to the narrative.
This is where a good lawyer will once again be worth their weight in gold, since arguing a case effectively takes years of education, training and experience. Rather than risking your mental health on the outcome, having your family member’s fate in safe hands will give you peace of mind.
Dealing with a conviction
Losing a case and having a client convicted is not what any lawyer wants to happen, but it’s also a valid part of the job you need to know about.
In this instance, a lawyer will then step into the role of negotiator, again doing their part to represent their client and seek a sentence which is the least disruptive. If they can get a jail term turned into an alternative, such as a suspended sentence with parole requirements, they will argue for it here.
Final thoughts
There’s no doubt that if a family member is accused of a crime, your whole network of relatives can feel dispirited and traumatized.
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer to represent them will restore confidence and purpose to everyone involved, and so must be a priority.
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