November 6, 2024 | Criminal Defense
When you’re facing criminal charges or even under investigation, having the right legal representation is crucial. But what exactly does a criminal defense attorney do, and how can they help you navigate the complexities of the justice system? Understanding this is essential if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need legal help.
What Is a Criminal Defense Attorney and What Do They Do?
A criminal defense attorney is a legal professional who is generally tasked with helping individuals who are facing criminal charges or being investigated by the police. There are private criminal defense attorneys whom defendants hire and public defenders who are provided free of charge when they cannot afford legal representation.
According to Joe Suhre, a Cincinnati criminal attorney and founder of Suhre & Associates, “Some criminal defense attorneys are primarily involved with going to court and defending a person charged with a crime, whereas others may spend more time writing appeals or motions and not going to court.”
Attorney Joe Suhre explains the most important tasks a criminal defense lawyer performs:
Explain the Charges Against You
One of the first things a criminal defense lawyer can do is to explain any pending criminal charges that you are facing. They’ll be able to tell you what exactly you’re being charged with and what the penalties are. This helps you understand the gravity of the situation you’re in.
Protect Your Constitutional Rights
As a defendant facing criminal charges, you have several constitutional rights that law enforcement and the prosecutor must not violate. For example, if you’re being detained and questioned by police, you always have the right to have an attorney present to ensure you don’t say anything that is going to damage your case.
A criminal defense lawyer can also file a motion to suppress if the police have violated your rights by illegally searching you and seizing evidence. This motion is filed with the court and is essentially a request that the judge prohibit the evidence from being used against you because it was obtained in violation of your rights.
This could significantly weaken the prosecutor’s case against you, making this a very important task for criminal defense lawyers.
Negotiating Plea Deals
The reality is that most criminal matters are resolved through plea deals rather than going to trial. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will negotiate with the district attorney to see if they can get you a good deal – this could be reduced charges, a more lenient sentence, or a diversion program, for example.
Whether you take a plea deal is completely up to you, but it’s always helpful to know what your options are.
Trials and Appeals
Other important tasks a criminal defense lawyer takes on are representing clients at trial and helping them file appeals if necessary. Trials can involve just a judge or can also include a jury, depending on the situation and your preferences.
Ultimately, if you have any questions about criminal charges or need help with any related matter, a criminal defense attorney can help you.
When You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney
Understanding what a criminal defense lawyer does is helpful, but it’s critical to understand when you need one – it’s not only when you’re facing criminal charges. The following are the situations in which you should consider reaching out to a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible:
The Police Are Questioning You
If the police are questioning you – even if you aren’t facing criminal charges – you should always reach out to a criminal defense attorney. Even if you are innocent and charges aren’t yet pending, anything you say to law enforcement can be used against you, leading to charges being filed.
You should never assume that you can simply explain your way out of trouble, as the criminal justice system doesn’t always work this way.
You’ve Been Arrested
If you’ve been arrested, the first thing you should do when given the opportunity is to contact a criminal defense lawyer. The first stages of an arrest are very important, and you want to make sure you don’t say anything that will make your situation worse.
A lawyer can also help with bail arguments so you can hopefully stay out of custody while waiting for your trial to take place.
You’re Unsure if You Need a Lawyer
While it may sound counter-intuitive, you should reach out to a criminal defense lawyer if you’re ever unsure about whether you need one. Most criminal defense lawyers offer free consultations, so you can speak with them and ask questions about your current situation to determine if you need to hire one.
An Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Make All the Difference
Essentially, any time you have questions about your rights, are facing charges, or believe charges might be coming, you should reach out to a criminal defense lawyer. A trusted attorney can do everything in their power to help you achieve a favorable outcome for your case.
Contact the Dayton Criminal Defense Attorneys at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers For Help Today
For more information, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers give us a call today at (937) 531-0435 or visit us at our Dayton Law Office.
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers – Dayton
130 West Second Street #17-129
Dayton, OH 45402
United States
In addition to our Dayton law office, Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers has locations to serve you in:
- Cincinnati, OH
- Lexington, KY
- Louisville, KY
- Indianapolis, IN
No matter where you’re located, our experienced attorneys are here to provide the defense you need.
