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Crimes

Vital Elements of a Good Criminal Defense Strategy


— April 28, 2020

Since there’s a lot involved in getting an accused a favorable verdict, you must entrust your case only to an expert. They will have the right strategy well in place to prevent harsh penalties and imprisonment. 


Criminal defense is a complex domain of law and needs to be handled with great skill and in-depth understanding. For someone who is accused of a crime, hiring a seasoned attorney is the first thing you should do to take your case in the right direction. Whether or not you are guilty, there are multiple phases in the proceedings of these cases and only a professional knows how to handle them effectively. The sooner you get them on board, the sooner they will start working on the defense strategy to get you cleared. When it comes to creating a good strategy, here are some elements that experts recommend. 

Using the truth

As a rule of thumb, you should be honest with your attorney when it comes to reporting facts. Open and clear communication gives you better chances of getting great defense. With their expertise attorneys can present the truth in a way that it becomes favorable for their client, i.e. you. On the other hand, the prosecutor may present the same truth in another way that implicates you. If your lawyer can use the truth the right way, you can actually gain sympathy from the jury and get a verdict in your favor.

Understanding the charge

Another significant element of criminal defense lies in understanding the charge and its implications. This can make all the difference to the fate of the case. Experts at Hart Powell, SC state that proper understanding of the charge works in favor of the accused. It enables them to convey facts better while explaining the crime to the lawyer. For instance, if you were arrested during a bank robbery, but weren’t carrying a gun at the point of arrest, the single detail can tilt the circumstances in your favor.

Handcuffs and key sitting on fingerprint card; image by Bill Oxford, via Unsplash.com.
Handcuffs and key sitting on fingerprint card; image by Bill Oxford, via Unsplash.com.

Presentation

A successful defense strategy greatly depends on how you present yourself in court. Your attorney can coach you and even help you practice by answering the questions they would ask or even the ones that the prosecutor may ask during the proceedings. This practice can give you a lot of confidence and you will probably feel less nervous in the real courtroom setting. You can also memorize the defense strategy so that there are no mistakes while reinforcing the version of events as reported by your attorney during the hearing.

Choice of strategy

The choice of the strategy itself is its significant element because the client and the attorney should be on the same page. There are a number of strategies that are used for criminal defense, from mistaken identity to accident, duress, insanity, entrapment, false confessions, probable cause, and more. Your lawyer will decide the one that works for your case and will use it to your advantage. At the same time, they ensure that the client has a clear understanding of the strategy and how it would work.

Since there’s a lot involved in getting an accused a favorable verdict, you must entrust your case only to an expert. They will have the right strategy well in place to prevent harsh penalties and imprisonment. 

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