We as citizens have rights.
The Sixth Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the right to hire a criminal defense attorney when accused of a crime.
Whether you are keeping up with the Kardashians or not, you must have heard about Robert Kardashian(Kim’s dad) who represented O.J. Simpson, the Buffalo Bills Footballer turned felon when he was convicted for the murder of his wife. Rob represented O.J as his criminal defense lawyer.
Much like O.J., when accused of a federal crime, one needs a federal criminal defense attorney. If you are not sure whether or not to hire Criminal Lawyers Athens GA, you must first know what one does.
So, just keep calm and hire a criminal defense lawyer.
Wondering: What Does A Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?
A Criminal Defense lawyer is simply a lawyer or attorney who is specializing in defending people, organizations, as well as legal entities when they have been accused and charged with a crime.
Your criminal defense attorney can represent you in all courts of the land. In order to do their job properly, your criminal defense attorney can do the following things.
- Interview you and witnesses to gather case facts.
- Work to gather relevant evidence on their case.
- Conducts the necessary research on your case to prepare his defense arguments.
- File and draft the defense motions on your behalf.
- Gather a special witness to help establish your cause.
- Working towards a plea bargain along with the prosecution.
Few Things A Good Criminal Defense Lawyer Will Surely Do
When you are choosing lawyers, you should have an understanding of what you can expect from the legal profession. That is why here is a complete guide of the things that your criminal defense lawyer will take care of.
□ Conduct A Proper Interview
Your criminal defense attorney will ask you as many questions about the case as possible. That way, they will get an insight into as many details about the case as possible, which will in turn help them build a very solid defense.
| Goal Knowledge of strengths and weaknesses strong DefenseMinimum or no punishment/acquittal. |
□ Evidence Analysis
A good criminal defense attorney will conduct a detailed analysis of the evidence he has gathered. The attorney can examine the evidence gathered to arrive at conclusions and build his case accordingly.
Criminal Defense attorneys often conduct their own authenticity tests on the evidence gathered. If you have been dishonest with your lawyer, this is your chance to come clean.
□ Transparency With Client
Your Criminal Defense Lawyer has to contact you as much as possible. They should be honest about the developments of the case and the possible outcomes.
A good lawyer will be optimistic but a good defense lawyer will prepare his defense for the worst possible outcome.
□ Proper Selection Of Jury
It is your criminal defense lawyer’s duty to choose a proper jury for the purpose. They can make requests and participate in the selection process up to an extent. It is their duty to petition for the removal of a jury member if they sense bias against the defendant.
□ Get You A Good Bargain
Experienced defense attorneys can negotiate your way in the case and reduce your sentence. They can get you better terms on the punishment in exchange for the fulfillment of legitimate demands made by the prosecutors.
‘Carlos’ in the TV Series Desperate Housewives had to serve 8 months in prison for the charges laid against him, and in exchange, the government let him keep his house instead of seizing it. That is the work of a good criminal defense attorney!
□ Proving The Burden Of Proof Wrong
An excellent criminal defense attorney will successfully mar the prosecution’s attempt to portray you as guilty. They will cross-question the witnesses in such a manner that the defendant will be let off the hook.
An Attorney Does Not Stop At The Sentence
Even if one has been sentenced to prison for a crime, a criminal defense attorney will make sure to negotiate the terms of the sentence to the best of his ability, and as much as the facts of the case permit.
Now, When Should You Hire A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
You have a parking ticket, do you hire a criminal defense attorney? Of course not.
You have been arrested just now, a defense attorney is obviously not there with you. However, you should not panic. Instead, contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as the situation permits.
Are you under investigation? Do you sense trouble coming your way? Do you feel like charges are about to be pressed on you? Do you need to protect your loved ones from legal trouble? IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO GET A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY.
□ The Sooner The Better
When accused of a crime, there cannot be a time that will be considered too soon for the purpose of hiring a criminal defense attorney.
- A good criminal defense lawyer can help you get out of a life sentence into 20 years with parole. Yes, it is that big of a difference!
- Your lawyer can guide you to not say things that could be held against your case later on.
- It is best to narrate the whole incident to your criminal defense attorney and act as they direct you to.
- Your attorney has dealt with multiple cases like yours before. It is therefore practical to trust them instead of trying to handle things yourself.
Where To Hire A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you are looking for a lawyer, not just a criminal one at that, feel free to reach out to us in the comments down below!
You can also Google “ Criminal defense attorney near me ” or ask dear ones to refer you to a good lawyer.
How Much Does A Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?
The Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Salary or Fee depends majorly on the type of the case. In the US, a criminal defense attorney can charge anywhere between $150-$750 per hour. These figures may vary depending on the place they practice, the terms that one is expecting out of a plea bargain, and even the experience of the lawyer.
What To Do If You Cannot Afford A Defense Lawyer?
If you are not financially capable to hire a criminal defense attorney then you could always approach the authorities. The DA’s office or the state can arrange for a public defender who is experienced enough to take on your case.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Criminal defense attorneys can charge a lot if they are dealing with such cases, even a few thousand dollars an hour. Joseph Baez was known to have charged Harvey Weinstein a million dollars for fighting his case.
Ans: A lawyer may charge up to $10,000 to $30,000 for a third-degree felony.
The Court Is Adjourned!
Hiring a criminal defense attorney can be difficult. And that is why we are trying to ease you into it. A little bit of research into the topic could never harm you, and would rather give you an edge.
It is to be noted that even if you are aware of your crime, you should be completely honest with your lawyer because whatever you confess or tell your lawyer is protected by the attorney-client privilege. These things cannot be held against you in any court of law.
The more transparent you are with your case, the better defense your lawyer can prepare.
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