Ways a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help Even if You Did Commit a Crime
Some people who break the law typically resign themselves to the idea that they’re going to be convicted anyway once arrested and tried, so they don’t bother to hire a criminal defense attorney to represent them in court.
Unless those people get arrested on purpose so they can go to jail, they are committing a huge mistake if they forgo defense counsel.
Even if you did commit a crime, a guilty verdict isn’t automatic. Whether you’re facing criminal damage charges or something even more serious, a criminal defense lawyer can help you get the best possible outcome in your case.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways a criminal defense attorney can help you even if you did commit a crime.
Establish That You’re Not Legally Guilty
Let’s say you’re completely aware that you committed a crime, and you feel that you will be found guilty in any court.
However, what you actually did is called factual guilt. To get a conviction, the prosecutor in your case must present to the court solid evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that you committed the criminal offense and establish your legal guilt.
As far as the court is concerned, it’s legal guilt that matters, and your criminal defense attorney will work towards establishing that you’re not legally guilty of the crime.
For example, your defense lawyer can attack the strength of the evidence against you, say, a purported CCTV video of you committing the crime.
Upon closer inspection, your attorney will notice the video doesn’t clearly show that you’re the person in it and will promptly point this out in court to have it declared inadmissible.
If the prosecution’s case hinges on that video evidence and the court decides to throw it out, the charges against you could be dismissed.
So, even if you’re factually guilty of breaking the law but the prosecution cannot prove your legal guilt, then your chances of winning your case become so much better.
Help You Prepare For Your Case
Many people are clueless about their case and have no idea what to expect.
But with a criminal defense lawyer on your side, you will get to understand your case better.
As soon as your lawyer decides to accept you as a client, he or she would be your best source of information when it comes to your case.
Your lawyer can tell you things like how your team should approach your defense or how you should dress or behave in court.
Your attorney can also help you become more familiar with court rules and regulations, so you don’t end up violating them unknowingly.
Most importantly, your lawyer can prepare you once your time to take the stand comes.
Negotiate Deals With The Prosecution
While being factually guilty doesn’t automatically establish your legal guilt, proving the latter is always possible if the prosecutors have more than enough evidence against you.
If your attorney believes this is the case, he or she can confer with the prosecutor and propose a deal, and vice-versa. Plea bargain negotiations happen all the time between opposing legal teams, after all.
Once both defense and prosecution agree on a plea bargain, your attorney will present it to you and ask if you want to take it for a reduced sentence or the dismissal of some of the charges against you.
The decision, of course, lies ultimately with you. If you reject the deal, then you will have to take your chances during a trial.
Being at the receiving end of criminal charges is no laughing matter. Still, as long as you have a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney on your side, you stand a great chance of getting a much better outcome in your case, even if you’re factually guilty of committing the crime.
