Here’s a simple truth about life, there are certain things that you’ll never think about until you desperately need them. A criminal defense attorney is one of those things. If you’re experiencing one of the worst moments of your life, you may need a criminal attorney to help protect you.
The purpose of criminal law attorneys is to defend people who are accused of crimes. Attorneys make sure that defendants understand all their rights and have access to legal protection.
You may find yourself in need of a criminal lawyer if you’ve been accused of a crime or if someone in your family has been accused of a crime. In a situation like this, you’ll need to know the ins and outs of criminal law.
Here we explain the purpose of criminal law and criminal defense attorneys. This information will help you gain an understanding of criminal law.
You’ll be better prepared to choose an attorney to defend yourself should you need it. Read on to learn more about the purpose of criminal law and criminal lawyers.
Criminal Law Provides an Important Framework
The justice system is built on criminal law. Without criminal law, there would be no way for prosecutors or defendants to determine whether a crime was committed.
In the world of lawyers, prosecution attorneys and criminal defense attorneys need to understand criminal law. Prosecutors need to know criminal law in order to convince juries that defendants have committed crimes.
The prosecutors must know which acts are illegal. They must also understand sentencing guidelines. Finally, they should know if there are any loopholes that could ruin their case.
Criminal Law Is Especially Relevant for Defense Attorneys
Criminal defense attorneys need to know about criminal law so they can find out if the relevant laws apply to their defendant.
The best criminal defense attorneys can use their knowledge of the law to their advantage. These attorneys can tell the juries about specific criminal laws that can help exonerate the defendant.
Attorneys Use Criminal Law Knowledge to Investigate Cases
Criminal defense attorneys play many roles in a criminal case. Perhaps no role is more important than that of an investigator.
The attorney will look into the criminal laws surrounding the crime the defendant is accused of and then find relevant evidence to try to clear the defendant’s name.
Criminal Law Applies to Many People Involved in Each Case
Many criminal laws also apply to police officers, detectives, and prosecutors as well. These specific criminal laws ensure that the people who are convicting the accused follow the right procedures. For example, there are laws that deal with tampering with evidence, arresting people, and conducting interrogations.
A smart criminal defense attorney will be able to determine if the prosecution or police violated any laws while arresting and charging the defendant.
Criminal Defense Attorneys Play a Big Role in Criminal Trials
Criminal law and criminal defense attorneys play a critical role during the trial. A good criminal defense attorney may call in witnesses that can help determine whether a crime was committed and if the defendant was guilty.
The lawyer will be able to ask the right questions to steer the witnesses toward answers that help clear the defendant’s name. Defense attorneys can also keep the witness focused on the talking points that will best help sway the jury in favor of the defendant.
Criminal Law Defines Laws in Different Jurisdictions
As any good defense attorney will tell you, criminal law varies by country, state, and county. The laws surrounding crimes in one state may not be applicable in another state.
Additionally, federal laws may come into play if crimes occur across state lines. One of the biggest benefits of having an experienced criminal defense attorney is that they’ll understand the different laws in different states.
Each state may also have different sentencing guidelines for defendants who are convicted as well.
Criminal Law Attorneys Also Help Defendants Navigate the Courtroom
A criminal defense attorney will play a role in certain components of the courtroom process. The attorney will be able to obtain access to the prosecution’s case.
They can then review it with the defendant. This information will help criminal defense attorney build their defense. Criminal attorneys also review the relevant criminal law to understand sentencing guidelines.
The attorney will use this knowledge to try to get reduced punishment for the defendant if the attorney is unable to get the defendant acquitted.
People who have been accused of crimes may also want to hire a criminal defense attorney for the purposes of jury selection. Both the prosecution and the defense will play a role in selecting the jury in a criminal case.
The defense attorney will do their best to get people on the jury who will have favorable opinions of the defendant. The attorney will be able to ask the potential jurors questions to determine if they may have any potential biases against the defendant.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Be sure to ask your attorney about their criminal law experience, and the types of criminal law that they specialize in. When you’re ready to find a high-quality criminal defense lawyer, give us a call at (402) 415-2525 to schedule a consultation now.
