Criminal defense lawyers are often displayed in a not-so-flattering manner, especially because there is a misconception that they defend guilty individuals only. However, a defendant in a criminal proceeding will often require the legal assistance of a qualified criminal defense attorney, regardless of their being guilty or not. Defense attorneys play an extremely vital role in the United States Justice system, to ensure that the accused persons are given a fair hearing and an opportunity to defend themselves. Here are the most vital roles of a Criminal Defense Lawyer Grand Rapids MI.
1. If you have been accused of a crime, your defense lawyer will explain to you the prevailing law related to your alleged crime and the expected punishment for that crime. The lawyer will help in ensuring that your punishment is less drastic. They will also help you to understand the benefits of plea bargaining or why you should plead guilty if indeed you are.
2. A defense lawyer will discuss with you the specifics of your case and start to build up a case file. Case management will often take up a significant portion of your lawyer’s work. They will typically spend most of their time organizing court documents, reviewing various cases and correspondence and indexing exhibits among other chores.
3. Your lawyer is also responsible for negotiating deals with the prosecution on your behalf to obtain a lesser charges and sentence. If your case goes to trial, the lawyer will gather the necessary information from witnesses, which may assist in exonerating you. Moreover, the attorney has to make important decisions on which experts and investigators to hire for the purpose of testifying during the trial. The lawyer is also tasked with presenting evidence, cross-examining witnesses, and striking down evidence presented by the prosecution during the trial.
Hiring a Grand Rapids Criminal Defense Lawyer will guarantee that you are not wrongly punished in the event that you are innocent. On the other hand, if you are indeed guilty, they will ensure that you are exempt from unjust punishment.
