Defending yourself against criminal charges is a complex task and if done incorrectly, the results can be disastrous. While some crimes have a lesser penalty, such as traffic offenses, others can have serious repercussions such as fines and jail time that will impact your life for a long time to come. While it is possible to defend yourself, the best way to do so is with a criminal defense lawyer by your side. A good lawyer will be well-versed in the laws of your city, state and county, understand all legal jargon and have years of education and experience preparing for court cases.
When you are defending yourself against criminal charges, the first step in your defense is to meet with an attorney as soon as possible. This will allow them to review the case and gather any evidence or witness statements that can help your case. They will also be able to advise you as to what options are available and the possible outcomes of your case.
A good attorney will work with you to build a strong case on your behalf by establishing that you did not commit the crime. This is a difficult defense to establish, but one that can be successful in certain circumstances. A common example of this is when a person forgets to pay for something in a store and are charged with petty theft, but they can argue that they forgot and did not intend to steal.
Another type of defense is that you were acting in self-defense. This is a difficult defense to demonstrate, and will require the assistance of an experienced attorney. They can use a variety of defenses to demonstrate that you acted in self-defense, such as demonstrating that the attack was unprovoked or that there was a reasonable fear for your safety.
Other defenses that may be used include a mistake of fact and involuntary actions. A mistake of fact is an argument that you did not know the information at the time that would have prevented the commission of the crime, such as not knowing your age or that it was illegal to purchase alcohol if you are underage. Involuntary actions are arguments that you did not act of your own free will but were forced into action by the circumstance, such as being robbed or beaten and that you did not have any choice.
Regardless of what type of defense is being used, it is important that all evidence is admissible in court. If a piece of evidence is not admissible, it can be fatal to your case. A good criminal defense attorney will work to ensure that all of your evidence is properly collected, organized and presented. They will be able to assist you in gathering and organizing documents, notes, pictures or any other information that could help you win your case. They will also be able provide advice on hidden consequences that you may not have considered, such as your professional license, career or immigration status.
