Being accused of a crime is a serious matter as it can negatively impact your life. Society typically looks down upon those who are facing criminal charges. Therefore, you should immediately get in touch with a criminal lawyer when you are charged with driving while intoxicated offense, theft, or domestic abuse.
The Role Of A Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal lawyers work with people who have been accused of doing a crime. Just like any lawyer, their goal is to help and guide their clients in resolving the respective cases filed against them.
A reputable criminal lawyer, in general, will do their best to provide their client with an idea of the possible outcomes of the case. The following are just some of the tasks of a Syracuse NY criminal lawyer:
- Does a research of and analyzes the facts of the criminal charges
- Investigates the details of the criminal case (gathers evidence, questions the witnesses, reviews the search procedures)
- Examines the accuser and defendant in court hearings
- Formulates the plea bargain and negotiates with the prosecutors of the criminal case
- Represents the accused/defendant in trial proceedings
It is also vital to hire a lawyer who specializes in the specific type of criminal offense you are facing. A person wrongfully accused of domestic abuse should hire a domestic violence (DV) attorney. If you are facing driving while intoxicated charges, it is best to reach out to a DWI lawyer. As the accused, you should take action immediately to prevent the criminal allegations from exacerbating.
How Can A Criminal Lawyer Help You?
If you’re facing serious criminal charges, one of the very first and most important things you should do is to hire a criminal defense lawyer. Here are the ways a criminal lawyer can help you:
- Helps you understand the criminal charges filed against you
Most regular folks have little understanding of the law. However, ignorance of the law will not hold as an alibi in court. A criminal lawyer helps you understand your rights, and will also let you know what laws you violated, if any. Depending on the merits of the case, your lawyer will offer the possible options that you can take. A criminal lawyer, for example, may advise you to file a counterclaim to rebut the malicious accusations.
- Guides you through the legal process
Facing criminal charges is not a joke. A lot of people do not have the slightest clue as to what to do after they’ve been summoned or arrested for a crime. Hiring an expert criminal lawyer will help you better understand the law. They will guide you through the proper legal proceedings to ensure that your rights are not violated during the investigation or questioning. A criminal lawyer will also handle all the necessary paperwork so that they are done correctly and submitted on time.
- Negotiates with the prosecution on your behalf
An attorney specializing in criminal law will research and investigate the case to see if it has any bearing. If there was any violation that took place, your lawyer would inform you of the viable options, such as a plea bargain. Criminal lawyers are experts in negotiating with prosecutors to help their clients get a lower sentence or reduced penalties for drunk driving. In some cases, a criminal lawyer will negotiate with the prosecutor so that the criminal case against you may be dismissed.
- Offers legal and emotional support
The role of your defense attorney is to ensure that you get the best legal advice related to the crime you are accused of. A defense lawyer will also look after your rights, whether you are innocent or guilty. But, beyond the legal support, a criminal lawyer is also someone with whom you can discuss your case without any pre-judgment. It may be challenging to talk about your case to a friend or a family member, however, a lawyer, especially one who has experience in handling criminal cases, can provide you with emotional support and give you peace of mind.
Conclusion
If you have been arrested or summoned for a crime, you should immediately get in touch with an experienced and reputable criminal lawyer. Although the cost of hiring a criminal defense attorney may be expensive, you will benefit immensely from having an experienced legal professional by your side. The fees that you will pay a criminal defense lawyer will all be worth it if you can get back to living your regular life as quickly as possible. Fortunately, most law firms will not charge for the initial consultation.