A successful defense to a criminal case depends on many factors. Each case is unique, and so the defense used must be tailored to fit the specific facts. But, the goal of any case is the same; and that is to keep the defendant out of jail (if jail time is a possible punishment for the crime), and to negotiate in a way that results in manageable outcomes.
A successful defense to a crime will include the following the three things:
- Complete honesty between the defendant and his or her attorney. It is critical that you tell your attorney all of the facts, so nothing is overlooked. There is nothing worse than being surprised in Court, and it can be difficult to recover from learning damaging information for the first time in front of the judge or jury.
- Remember that things are not always as they appear. There are two sides to every story, and when a witness is giving testimony that seems to hurt your case, remember that you will have your chance to question their account of events. A skilled defense attorney will be able to point out inconsistencies in a witness’s story, and use those inconsistencies to your advantage.
- Keep in mind that the prosecutor is not your friend. When negotiating with the State, even if the prosecutor seems compassionate to your case, the bottom line is they work for the other side. Keeping a safe distance and allowing a trained criminal defense attorney to digest the negotiations is best.
When discussing your case with an attorney, be sure your focus is in the right place. It can be helpful to know what to expect, and once you have provided all the facts of your case to an attorney, you can begin discussing strategy. In cases like DUI’s, it will be important to act fast because there are certain deadlines that approach quickly after the arrest. In traffic ticket cases it is a good idea to bring a copy of the citation with you to your office visit. Call us today for more information about how to develop a winning defense strategy.
For questions about criminal defense, call our office to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney. We help people charged with all sorts of crimes in Stuart and the Treasure Coast. Call today to schedule an appointment.