Selecting an Albany Criminal Defense Lawyer
Albany Criminal Defense Lawyer
In sport, they say that a good defense is the best offense. The same goes when you have to go to trial because your life is on the line and the only way to prevent yourself from going to jail is by selecting an Albany criminal defense lawyer who will be able to represent you when the evidence is presented.
Criminal defense lawyers specialise in criminal law and litigation. Some lawyers represent people who are guilty and will do everything in their power to make sure their client does not go to jail or at least get a reduced sentence.
But how do you select an Albany criminal defense lawyer? For that, you have to find someone who specialises in this field. If you don’t know any, ask your friends or family for help.
When you see them for the first time, this is not a social call but business. You should ask them straight out how long has he or she practiced criminal law, the number of cases that have been to trial and how many times have they won.
You should also find out how much they charge for their legal fees and if they will be the one who will personally handle your case. Different law firms have different payment options but most charge on an hourly basis.
If you find the rate reasonable and feel comfortable talking to this person, then by all means hire this individual to be your criminal defense attorney.
The next step is to discuss your case explaining all that you believe occurred. You should then follow whatever instructions the lawyer gives you. They will also be able to explain to you how the legal process will unfold from there on. They will also explain the actions they will be taking on your behalf.
It is important that you do not try to “pull the wool over the eyes” of the lawyer. It only makes their job more difficult. Be honest with them, especially if you have actually committed the crime that you are charged with.
Given that the law presumes the person charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty, the main objective of a criminal lawyer is to put doubt in the minds of either the judge or the jury. This is because you will only get a guilty verdict if they can prove beyond reasonable doubt that you are indeed responsible for the crime.
Selecting a good Albany criminal defense lawyer is crucial because a weaker defense lawyer will find it more difficult to get you a not-guilty verdict. We have seen on TV how guilty people are acquitted by the power of their defense lawyer’s arguments. The same can and does happen in the real world. However for most people their criminal acts are not as “glamorous” as the TV shows but will include charges such as driving offences, violence, and fraud. While all these are certainly criminal offences, the action of the defense lawyer will often be to minimise the sentence of the accused.
If you need the services of an Albany defense lawyer, McVeagh Fleming is one of the main law firms on the North Shore. They might be able to help you.
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