If you are accused of a crime, your priority should be to defend yourself. By taking action to defend yourself, you’ll be in a better position to protect your rights and minimize the risk of harsh penalties.
It is unfortunately common for people’s rights to be violated. They might have their home searched without a warrant or not be read their Miranda rights. A criminal defense attorney knows what the laws are and will take action to be sure that their clients are not mistreated or misled.
Finding the right criminal defense attorney for you
When you look for a criminal defense attorney, there are a few things that you should consider, such as how long the attorney has worked in the field and what their specialty is in.
For example, if a defense attorney’s primary focus is on traffic offenses and DUIs but you are defending against an assault charge, you may want to find someone who works specifically with assault and violent crimes instead.
Another thing to look for in an attorney is their ability to negotiate. You want to see that your attorney is on good terms with other attorneys and judges. This means that they are relatively well-liked and may be in a position to use their own leverage to help you. It’s a good sign if your attorney can work with the prosecutor well, because it means that they’ll have a better ability to really sit down and discuss possibilities with the prosecutor.
Finally, remember that a defense attorney shouldn’t base their ability to work with you on the condition that you’re actually innocent. There are many times that people get into legal trouble due to mistakes or misunderstandings. Even if you are guilty, you still deserve fair representation. Your attorney should be on your side regardless of your actual role in a crime. If they can’t represent you if you’re guilty, then you should move on to another attorney who is willing to fight to protect your rights.
These are a few things to consider when looking for a criminal defense attorney. A good attorney can help you protect yourself and know all your options.