What Does A Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

There are millions of crimes committed each year, with property crimes being the most common type of offenses.

However, the number of crimes and the number of criminal convictions are not the same. A lot of the time, people will commit offenses and either evade apprehension or escape liability through their legal representation. Equally, some people will pick up convictions for behavior that should not have been criminalized.

To ensure you don’t get in trouble with the law unnecessarily, you should enlist the help of a competent criminal defense lawyer as soon as you think you might have committed an offense.

So, what does a criminal defense lawyer do? Read on to find out.

What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

The job of a criminal defense lawyer is a hugely varied one in practice. However, the ultimate aim of any attorney that defends clients charged with crimes is to get as favorable an outcome for those clients as they possibly can. That might mean an acquittal, or it might just mean a more lenient sentence, depending on the circumstances.

Below is a list of the key duties of criminal defense lawyers.

Meetings With Clients

The first step toward building a successful defense case is meeting the client. Not every case is suitable, so criminal defenders need this initial consultation to get a proper foundation for a case.

Examination of Evidence

Evidence is a crucial consideration in any criminal matter. As you may already know, a criminal prosecutor must show “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the defendant in a criminal trial has committed a crime in order to secure a conviction. If a defense attorney can find evidence that presents such a doubt, they can win your case.

Interaction With Witnesses

Witness testimony is a powerful form of evidence. Part of the job of a criminal lawyer is getting the right witnesses to speak in court.

Negotiation With Opposing Counsel

Most criminal cases never make it to a jury trial. If a defendant has some culpability in the case, a defense lawyer can strike a deal with the prosecutor to secure a more favorable sentence. This is why working with a Pensacola criminal defense lawyer is important.

Representing Clients in Court

If a client is adamant about walking away with an acquittal, the courtroom is often the only place they’ll find it. A skilled criminal defense lawyer should be confident in court, making a persuasive case to the jury and countering the prosecution’s assertions.

Getting the Right Result in a Criminal Case

So, what does a criminal defense lawyer do? If you get a good one, they could make the difference between a serious criminal sentence and walking away from an incident without any issues. No matter what your situation is, a good criminal attorney will always improve your situation.

Are you in need of a criminal defense attorney in the Pensacola area? If so, you don’t need to look any further than Stevenson Klotz. Contact us today for a case evaluation!