Being accused of committing a criminal offense often comes with mixed feelings. Unfortunately, the court of public opinion often convicts defendants even before trial. However, being arrested doesn’t necessarily lead to conviction, and accused parties are always deemed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. That said, while criminal cases vary, the following tips can increase your chances of winning the criminal case.
1. Seek Representation Immediately
Seeking legal representation immediately after the charges are brought up increases the chances of getting a fair trial or winning the case. Not hiring a lawyer leaves you vulnerable to police and prosecutor’s questions. You should invoke your right to remain silent and don’t answer questions until your attorney is present.
Anything you mention to law enforcement officers can be used against you. You should only speak to them with your lawyer present. Your Las Vegas criminal lawyer will help protect your rights and build a solid defense against the allegations.
However, you shouldn’t settle on any attorney who claims to specialize in criminal law. You should first check the attorney’s winning record in criminal cases. Lawyers with a good record of successful litigations are familiar with the chain of events in criminal trials and know how to approach your defense strategy.
2. Develop A Clear Defense Strategy
Your attorney should help you develop a clear defense strategy. A defense strategy essentially outlines the possible arguments your lawyer will make should the case proceed to trial. While defense strategies vary depending on the case, various common strategies apply to all criminal cases.
The easiest and most common strategy used by defense attorneys is arguing that the crime didn’t occur. Your lawyer can win the case using this strategy mostly if the prosecution doesn’t have tangible evidence linking you to the crime. This strategy is also effective if the defendant’s actions don’t meet the threshold for illegal activity. Your attorney can also claim this is a case of mistaken identity or that you didn’t comprehend the significance of your actions due to intoxication or insanity.
3. Be Honest
While your criminal actions may be embarrassing or ashaming, you should be honest with your attorney. Being honest about even seemingly unimportant information and personal details is vital to the success of the criminal trial. Blindsiding your lawyer or providing scanty details can hurt your defense strategy and the outcome of the case.
The jury will question your lawyer’s credibility if it occurs to them that the lawyer doesn’t have all the facts. Savvy prosecutors will also pick on the inconsistencies between you and your lawyer and take that chance to discredit your defense strategy. Fortunately, you can share everything freely with your lawyer, as the attorney-client privilege protects information shared between attorneys and their clients.
Endnote
Winning a criminal case against experienced prosecutors is challenging. However, most accused persons knowingly or unknowingly complicate their cases. For instance, you can easily sabotage your case by speaking to prosecutors or investigators without your attorney. You should remain silent and collaborate with your criminal lawyer to the end.
