Criminal defense lawyers must face various types of criminal cases. Each has its own set of unique circumstances; however, there are some tried-and-tested strategies they can employ to help win their cases.
Step one is ensuring potential clients can find you. That means being visible when people search Google for services you offer.
1. Educate Yourself
Criminal lawyers must possess extensive knowledge of laws defining crimes, providing penalties for those who break them and mandating courtroom procedures. Furthermore, these lawyers must possess an uncanny knack for reading people and understanding their actions – an ability which may take years of work as deposing or cross-examining experts may become necessary on each individual case basis.
One way to expand one’s knowledge is by participating in a law school clinic offering clinical experience. Such clinics provide real-world legal services for clients facing criminal charges who cannot afford an attorney.
Make sure your website provides prospective criminal defense clients with enough information about how you can address their problem in order to keep them on your site long enough for the second step – asking them to call.
2. Be Prepared
Your criminal defense attorney must be ready to represent your side of the story and listen attentively as you describe events from their point of view, taking notes to assist them with preparing for trial.
An experienced criminal attorney should also have the ability to evaluate police procedures, evidence and witness testimony – this may reveal legal grounds that could convince a prosecutor to drop charges against their clients.
Cross-examining witnesses is essential when representing criminal defendants. This may include challenging their credibility, uncovering inconsistencies in testimony and questioning any biases within them – all with the aim of creating doubt among jurors.
3. Be Prepared for Testimony
A great criminal defense attorney pays attention to every detail; otherwise, she or he could miss vital components that could make all the difference for their case.
Attorneys alone cannot fully prepare witnesses for testimony as their preparation focuses on strategy and facts rather than the witness’s emotional, cognitive and behavioral responses. Therefore, working closely with a litigation psychologist during preparation sessions is crucial to ensure proper witness testimony.
A good attorney also understands how to file motions in limine (pretrial requests for evidence) that will prevent jurors from hearing certain pieces of evidence due to legal considerations such as lack of reliability or unfair prejudice, which can make the prosecution’s case impossible to win.
4. Be Prepared for the Courtroom
Courtroom proceedings can be both important and stressful. Arriving promptly, remaining organized, and practising proper courtroom etiquette are all vital to ensuring an efficient hearing or trial process.
“Proof beyond reasonable doubt” is the standard required to convict someone of committing an offense, and an experienced criminal defense attorney should use techniques to create reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors regarding whether or not you committed the crime in question.
One way this can be accomplished is by attacking police credibility and evidence. A Newport Beach criminal defense attorney might, for example, raise concerns regarding why you were pulled over and any sensory observations regarding possible intoxication. If they can demonstrate any misconduct such as entrapment, false confessions or falsified evidence in your case, then charges against you may be dropped or reduced accordingly.
5. Be Prepared for Trial
As the trial date nears, criminal lawyers compile an abundance of information for their clients – including documents, evidence, witnesses and experts – to lay a plan for how the trial should unfold.
A great lawyer is meticulous in his or her approach and pays careful attention to every detail of a case. They scour for any holes in the prosecution’s argument that could help their client win, such as police misconduct, illegal search or seizure and tainted evidence.
Skilled attorneys also remind the prosecutor and jury of a defendant’s innocence until proven guilty, often prompting charges to be dropped prior to court date by showing no proof you committed the crime – known as reasonable doubt – which can include arguments such as consent, insanity or duress. Criminal lawyer Etobicoke will provide legal advice for you and prepare you for the trial process so you can feel confident and comfortable in the courtroom.
