According to Wikipedia: "Criminal law is the body of law that relates to crime. It proscribes conduct perceived as threatening, harmful, or otherwise endangering to the property, health, safety, and moral welfare of people inclusive of one's self. "
In order to be able to craft a credible defense, a criminal attorney will have to know everything about a case he or she is working. As such, they can be expected to question their clients very thoroughly and read through resolved cases that may set favorable precedents.
While a criminal attorney may defend someone who is perceived to be a "bad guy" this isn't something that should be taken against them. After all, this is their job so they owe it to their clients, their profession and themselves to do the best they can.
One of the things you're allowed to do before you are interrogated by the police is to confer with your attorney in private. After this is done however, you need not face questioning alone as your lawyer can be with you during the session.
If an indigent person becomes involved in a crime, he will need a lawyer to help him out. However, given his status, there's no way he will be able to afford a private attorney so the state will have to provide him one from the public attorney's office.
If you're being charged with a crime and you can hire your own counsel, it would be best to entrust your defense to an established firm. Such legal offices make it a point to field the best lawyers so you can be sure that those tasked to defend you will know what they're doing.
Failing to use a lawyer in a criminal case can have serious ramifications. Even the brightest individual can be swallowed up by the legal system and pay the most severe penalties.
An attorney can do more than represent you. He or she may be able to arrange bail to keep you from having to spend any more time in jail than is necessary. A phone call is all that is needed.
Getting in legal trouble for something you didn't do can be a nightmare so, it's important to choose a seasoned lawyer to represent you. Such an attorney will have a lot of experience and will know how the system works so there's a very good chance that he or she can clear your name.
While education provides the foundation for a criminal lawyer's career, what will ultimately drive his or her success is experience. As such, you can expect high profile attorneys to have fought a lot of battles to be where they are now.
Formulating a defense strategy for someone being accused of a crime isn't the easiest thing to do, and the job is made much harder if the evidence against the person is strong. As such, the counsel assigned to the defendant will have to act very carefully in order to get the client out of trouble.
In order to become a criminal lawyer, a new attorney will have to get involved in the practice soon after law school. This means seeking employment with a firm that handles criminal law or alternatively, entering government service as a state or federal public defender.
A criminal defense attorney has a great many resources available that ordinary citizens do not. Among these is access to qualified private investigators who work to uncover information about the charges and how the police handled the process.
Because a defendant is considered innocent to proven guilty, the burden of proof rests with the prosecution who must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A defendant does not have to do or say anything to prove his or her innocence.
Because some of the sobriety tests used by law enforcement have varying degrees of accuracy or are subject to degradation, working with a criminal defense attorney is to your advantage. He or she can request measurements, equipment maintenance records, even have blood tests reanalyzed.
Do not give information to the police, other than who you are, where you live and why you're in a location, even if they promise to go easy if you cooperate. Police are not empowered to make deals. Wait until you receive legal advice.
If you are arrested for a misdemeanor or a felony, you need to engage an attorney who specializes in criminal defense. While all attorneys have some knowledge of the criminal defense system, an attorney specializing in this field of law is a better choice.
Because sentencing options vary among offenses, your lawyer will work to secure the least severe penalty possible, trying to keep you out of prison or keeping your sentence to a minimum.
Availing yourself of the expertise of a criminal defense attorney if one of the rights guaranteed to citizens. It is necessary to protect the innocent from imprisonment under even the most trying circumstances.
For bail greater than what the defendant can pay, a surety bond may be issued, which is available through bonding agencies and law firms.
If you are arrested, the best thing to do is remain calm, do not say anything to the police – no matter how innocent you are – and cooperate with their procedures. This will prevent further problems during the process, and prevent more charges being added.
Before meeting with your attorney, don't say anything to the police – regardless of your innocence, or how harmless your comments may seem. It is the duty of the police to solve crimes, and they are trying to extract information to this end.
We have all seen and heard these words in any police show: “You have the right to an attorney.” This simple phrase serves as a reminder that everyone is entitled to legal representation.
Attorneys are skilled in helping accused people - they understand how people feel if they are charged with a crime. Because of this, they are able to act objectively while working to secure release from custody and planning a defense.