While a “win” can never be guaranteed, effective attorney-client communication can help to put your case in the best possible position to obtain the best result available, depending on the facts and evidence involved in your case. There are ways that you can help your criminal defense lawyer win your case.
Experienced criminal defense attorneys are proficient in researching legal issues, drafting motions, and arguing on behalf of their clients. However, many times, a criminal defense attorney will not know what kinds of issues to research and investigate or what types of motions to file if they have not spoken at length and in depth with their client about all of the possible issues in their case. The attorney-client relationship is a two-way street, and communication is key. The client needs help from the attorney to protect their constitutional rights and assist them in navigating an overwhelming–and often scary–process. Similarly, the criminal defense attorney needs help from the client in order to put the attorney in the position to best represent the client and explore and address al possible issues. Defending criminal charges is a team effort, so it is important that all parties are 100% in it to win it.
What are tangible ways you can help your criminal defense lawyer win your case?
Every criminal case is different. Some cases have great defenses available and the client may be encouraged by their criminal defense attorney to take their case all the way to a trial. Other cases present factual scenarios that are fairly straightforward regarding the client’s guilt and difficult to defend. In both scenarios, the client can assist their criminal defense attorney in ways that can effectively result in a “win”—in other words, an outcome that is acceptable and positive—for the client.
“Winning” a case may look different for each client depending on the client’s goals. For some, a case has been won by proceeding to a jury trial and receiving an acquittal at the conclusion. This may have happened after the client provided his or her criminal defense attorney with a list of witnesses for the attorney to have their private investigator contact who may have information regarding the credibility of a victim, an alibi or justification defense, or who simply may have been an objective and neutral eyewitness; or perhaps there are text messages or call logs that the attorney was able to obtain through the use of a digital analyst to help lead to an acquittal for the client.
For others, a win may be receiving a plea offer to plead guilty to an amended charge from a felony to a misdemeanor offense. This may have happened after the client completed a substance abuse evaluation with a substance abuse counselor, participated and successfully completed recommended treatment, or reinstated their driver’s license in a timely manner.
In addition to case-specific assistance, a client should also generally adopt the following practices during the pendency of their criminal case to help their criminal defense attorney win their case:
Communicate with your criminal defense attorney.
Keep your criminal defense attorney informed of any new information that arises that could both positively and negatively impact your case. Inform your attorney of any conversations you have had with third parties about your case, or communications others initiate with you about your case. Such contact could include communication from law enforcement, family members, insurance companies, or school leadership.
Pursuant to the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, in a criminal case, you have a right against self-incrimination, meaning that you have an absolute right to not make any kind of statement that could be against your interest. In reality, this means that you are not obligated to speak to law enforcement. In fact, if you are under investigation for the commission of a crime, it is likely your criminal defense attorney will advise you not to make any statement or submit to any interview with law enforcement. It is extremely important that you keep your criminal defense attorney informed as to any previous conversations you had with law enforcement or any conversations that are scheduled for the future.
Save your criminal defense attorney’s phone number to your contact list. Ensure you check your email on a daily basis. Keep your attorney updated on your current physical address. Again, communication is key, and if your criminal defense attorney cannot get ahold of you, that could present a limitation on your attorney’s ability to diligently represent you.
Be organized and diligent with case materials.
Documentation is key to defending many kinds of criminal cases. Documentation could include screenshots of text messages, a written contract, medical records, a timeline of important events, or therapy evaluations. Depending on your case, a client’s maintenance or lack of maintenance of these materials could be the deciding factor on whether you can reasonably challenge your criminal charge. It is important to keep any relevant or important documents in a safe place. When you obtain a criminal defense attorney, it is important to notify your attorney that you have such materials and to provide them a means to accessing them and saving them for use in your case.
Why do I need a criminal defense attorney I can trust?
In order for your criminal defense attorney to know what arguments to make on your behalf and to properly defend your case, they may need assistance from you to identify potentially helpful evidence or track down potentially beneficial witnesses. When looking for a criminal defense attorney to represent you against criminal charges, it is essential that you find someone you trust and that you are comfortable sharing such helpful information with, especially if you want to help your criminal defense lawyer win your case. In order to properly defend criminal charges, criminal defense lawyers often need to know many intimate details about a person’s life, habits, and relationships. A person who feels uncomfortable with their criminal defense attorney will likely be unable to assist in their defense, making it extremely difficult such attorney help the client “win” their case.
What should I do if I am facing a criminal charge?
If you are under investigation for criminal charges, or are currently facing charges, contact Berry Law’s team of experienced criminal defense attorneys to see how they can help you win your case. No matter the level of criminal charge, a conviction could result in significant formal consequences like fines, probation, or incarceration. A conviction could also lead to informal consequences like the loss of your employment, family, and good reputation. It is important to obtain legal representation and rely on a criminal defense lawyer who has knowledge, training, and experience handling matters similar to yours. If you want a criminal defense attorney you can trust, contact Berry Law.
