subject: What Are The Services Offered By A Defense Attorney? [print this page] There are certain events that may involve a person in a criminal investigation. Whether the suspect is guilty or innocent, he or she will have the right to have a lawyer by their side. If a person is looking at some serious time in prison, he or she must find a competent and reputable criminal defense lawyer. A defense lawyer can help the accused fight the criminal charges filed against them.
Crimes may range in severity. The criminal charges filed against a person may be misdemeanor charges or it can be serious crimes like forgery, theft, assault and battery, and many more. Punishment can also range from community service and minor fine to years of imprisonment, or even death. It is the job of a criminal defense attorney to represent those accused with a crime in court. It is vital that the accused must have legal representation since this is the right of every citizen. Legal representation during a criminal process is vital to make sure that the rights of the accused are upheld. If an accused is not able to afford a lawyer, he or she will be given a public defender at no cost by the state.
The criminal defense lawyer can assist their clients throughout the legal process. There are even some accused individuals who choose to retain a lawyer during the criminal investigation period. The defense lawyer can help their clients by instructing them while they are being questioned by the police. This will ensure that their clients won't say any information that may incriminate them. The defense lawyer can even help convince the court to drop the charges filed against their clients due to insufficient evidence, no probable cause, or improper procedure. They can even provide their clients with information regarding the possible outcomes of the case which is essential for clients in a making decision on how to respond to any "plea bargain" that a prosecutor might offer. The attorney can also negotiate with the prosecutor in behalf of their client to lessen the charges and punishment. They can also advice their client with regards to the criminal laws and how it works.
To put it simply, the legal system is very complicated thus it is impossible for a common citizen to represent themselves in a criminal trial in the most competent manner. Due to this fact, the services of a defense attorney are needed since they specialize in criminal cases.
