When a person faces criminal charges, they are likely to contemplate whether to hire an attorney. While pursuing this option typically incurs costs, there are multiple positive reasons for seeking a defense lawyer’s services, including gaining assistance with navigating the legal system’s complexities. Discover the reasons to hire a strong criminal defense attorney, and find out how a seasoned New York criminal law attorney from The Law Office of Benjamin Greenwald can help individuals facing criminal charges; contact our firm today by calling 845-567-4820.
What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?
Criminal defense lawyers review evidence, investigate possible defenses, negotiate plea bargains, and attempt to dismiss cases. Their other duties include filing motions, offering court representation, examining witnesses, assessing possible sentences, and advising on the potential consequences of pursuing certain actions during legal proceedings. According to the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the United States Constitution enshrines several fundamental legal rights, such as due process, fair sentencing, and not being subject to unreasonable search and seizure, and a criminal defense lawyer helps safeguard these liberties when defending individuals facing criminal charges.
What Is the Defense Attorney’s Most Important Responsibility?
A defense attorney’s most important responsibility is to ensure the protection of their client’s rights. Additionally, they provide effective legal representation during legal proceedings. Per the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), approximately 7.6 million arrests took place in the United States in 2020; while some may decide not to, many of these individuals might consider hiring an attorney to help represent them when engaging with the legal process.
How Much Are Criminal Defense Lawyers?
The cost of criminal defense lawyers largely depends on a person’s financial status. Private attorneys typically charge either a fixed fee or an hourly rate, which can amount to several hundreds of dollars per hour. Unlike personal injury attorneys, criminal defense lawyers cannot charge fees contingent on the case’s outcome.
If an individual lacks the financial means to hire a private lawyer, the court provides one; notably, a person does not qualify for this type of counsel if they can afford to hire an attorney. This type of legal assistance is available at both the federal and state levels, although the rules on qualification vary between states. Importantly, if someone qualifies for government-appointed counsel, they cannot choose their attorney.
Should I Get a Defense Lawyer?
While some individuals choose to represent themselves, the recommended approach is to consider seeking the services of a committed and experienced criminal defense lawyer. Worth noting is that although someone may opt for self-representation, the judge decides whether to allow this, taking into account various factors such as the person’s competency, the severity of the charges, the individual’s education and language skills, and whether the person understands the proceedings and is aware of them abandoning their right to legal counsel.
Gain a more comprehensive understanding of why individuals hire a strong criminal defense attorney, and learn how an experienced New York criminal law attorney can assist people charged with an offense. Contact The Law Office Of Benjamin Greenwald today to schedule a consultation.
Why Hire a Defense Attorney?
Individuals may choose to hire a defense attorney for several different reasons, such as to make use of an attorney’s skill set, experience, and legal knowledge. Below is an explanation of why someone may seek a strong criminal defense lawyer’s services.
Legal Knowledge
Defense lawyers understand criminal law in rigorous detail and know what can impact a case’s outcome. Alongside knowing legal principles, they are aware of the relevant legal precedents and procedural rules and understand how local prosecutors and judges operate, allowing them to develop effective, tailored defense strategies.
Rights Protection
As soon as law enforcement officials arrest someone, that person’s constitutional rights become effective, including an individual’s right to legal representation and right to remain silent; a strong defense attorney helps to uphold these key rights during the whole legal process. They prevent their clients from unintentionally waiving their rights or making incriminating statements.
Case Analysis
A defense lawyer also thoroughly analyzes a case, which involves interviewing witnesses, reviewing evidence, and examining what happened during the person’s arrest, to identify possible defenses and build a sound strategy for challenging a prosecutor’s case. For instance, if the police improperly handled evidence or violated a person’s rights during their arrest, a strong attorney could use this to boost an arrested individual’s defense.
Negotiation Skills
Many cases involving criminal charges do not result in a trial; negotiation can also help achieve a resolution and end the process. A strong criminal defense lawyer applies their effective negotiation skills to obtain reduced charges or favorable plea bargains, leading to reduced sentences, lower penalties, and a possible dismissal.
Court Representation
If it is not possible to obtain a plea bargain or dismiss the case, the attorney provides representation at trial. These complex, intimidating proceedings necessitate strong persuasion and presentation skills, alongside a sound understanding of legal procedures. A strong criminal defense lawyer utilizes their skills and experience to present compelling evidence and arguments challenging a prosecutor’s case and effectively cross-examine witnesses.
Resource Access
A strong criminal defense lawyer may have access to numerous resources, including private investigators, forensic professionals, and specialist witnesses. They could also have professional networks in place that could help support a case. For instance, a defense attorney working on a case involving intricate forensic evidence may consult with a forensic specialist to analyze this evidence and testify in court, or they might employ a private investigator to locate key witnesses and find additional evidence.
Emotional Support
Facing a charge is an uncertain, overwhelming, and stressful time, which can be very emotionally taxing. In addition to legal representation, a defense lawyer may provide emotional support during the legal process. They often display compassion while explaining legal procedures, ensuring clients understand their options, and keeping them informed on case developments.
Contact a New York Criminal Law Attorney To Find Out More
Experiencing criminal charges can be a daunting encounter, with the potential to dramatically alter a person’s life. To help make this process more manageable, many individuals hire a criminal defense lawyer, offering several benefits, including effective legal representation, emotional support, case analysis, and rights protection. Learn additional reasons for hiring an effective criminal defense attorney, and discover how The Law Office of Benjamin Greenwald can safeguard the legal rights of those facing criminal charges; call 845-567-4820 today to speak to a New York criminal law attorney.
