What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

A person who is a suspect, or who has been charged with a crime has the right to defend themselves against those charges. A criminal defense lawyer in Prince Frederick, Maryland focuses on protecting the rights of defendants and helping them build a defense to reduce the exposure they are facing as a result of those charges. They use their knowledge of the law and years of defense experience to provide effective representation in their client’s case when it goes to trial.

What Is Criminal Defense?

When a crime is suspected and charges are filed, the state becomes the plaintiff, and the accused is the defendant. The defense of criminal charges is a process that allows you to litigate the validity of the state’s charges. A quality criminal defense lawyer will handle your case with precision and thoroughness.

Law firms specializing in criminal law can represent you and gather the witnesses and experts necessary to provide the strongest possible defense in your case. They work hard to corroborate your innocence and ensure you get fair representation and protection and that all parties follow their legal requirements and responsibilities.

The Importance of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Instead of representing yourself, work with a criminal defense lawyer to get the representation you deserve. These legal professionals have years of knowledge and experience with the criminal justice system. They understand all legal processes and can help you understand your charges, analyze your case for potential defense options, navigate plea bargains and lesser charges, remaining diligent in your defense.

Duties of a Criminal Lawyer

Criminal lawyers do more than defend you in court. They prepare for trial with daily general tasks, handle various communications in the months before trial, and defend you in the courtroom. Because they understand the various regulations you can take advantage of, they can save you time and ensure you receive a fair trial.

Some people take the services of criminal defense attorneys who are public defenders, while others charged with a crime hire private defense attorneys. Regardless of your attorney’s status, they will:

  •         Know the rules for your local jurisdiction
  •         Remain realistic regarding your case
  •         Have significant expertise in cross-examining the prosecution’s witnesses

Daily Tasks

Daily tasks of a criminal lawyer include analyzing the facts of criminal cases, maintaining contact with clients, strategizing case defense, and getting supporting evidence for your case’s defense. Despite the time it takes to prepare for court thoroughly, a skilled and expert criminal attorney is able to facilitate a quicker trial process.

Pre-Trial Responsibilities

It’s often best to have a criminal defense lawyer on retainer before charges are filed against you. 

Before the trial, your attorney will perform a detailed client interview to understand the case clearly. They’ll also investigate by speaking to the police or witnesses. If an expert witness is necessary, your criminal lawyer may discuss the expert’s fees, their potential testimony, and how it can benefit you at trial.

After gathering all necessary evidence, they’ll identify, inquire, study, and analyze it to determine if any of the prosecution’s evidence can be excluded under the Rules of Evidence. Our criminal lawyers remain in constant contact with the client throughout the pre-trial phase to ensure they understand the potential upcoming outcomes.

Finally, after all the evidence is weighed, you and your criminal defense lawyer can decide whether accepting a plea bargain or going to trial is the best course for you. 

Criminal Defense Tasks During Trial

During the trial, your criminal defense lawyer represents you and works diligently to fight for your case. Your legal professional cross-examines the prosecution team’s witnesses, presents information from witnesses for your case, and presents evidence and arguments on your behalf but ultimately the jury will make the final decision.

Benefits of Hiring a Private Defense Attorney

There are many advantages to hiring a private defense attorney, such as you’ll have a knowledgeable law partner to communicate on your behalf and manage your case from the start. 

Among many benefits of hiring a criminal defense attorney is a very crucial one, they often encourage the prosecutors to consider reducing the charges or refrain from asking the court for active jail time. Criminal defense attorneys are ethically bound to provide the best possible defense of your case whether you’re innocent or guilty. They can also help in preparing for an appeal process if the trial or sentencing does not turn out in your favor.

Get Assistance from a Criminal Defense Lawyer at Ferrante & Dill, LLC

If you or a loved one has received notice of criminal charges, hire the best criminal defense lawyer from Ferrante & Dill, LLC, today to discuss your case. You’ll receive individualized assistance from our diligent, skilled legal professionals regarding your case in Calvert County. 

Contact – Ferrante & Dill, LLC, in Prince Frederick, MD, today at 410-535-6100.

Disclaimer!

This blog post that is published by Ferrante & Dill is only available for informational purposes and should not be considered legal advice. By viewing these blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the blog publisher and the reader. The blog post should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and we recommend readers to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.