Accused of a Crime? You Need a Defense Attorney
Having a criminal lawyer who can provide legal aid is so important that our Founding Fathers put it in the Bill of Rights. The Sixth Amendment guarantees that you have the right to assistance of counsel. If you have been accused of a crime, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who can explain your rights and assist in your defense as quickly as possible. Your defense attorney will provide the best legal aid possible whether you are innocent or guilty.
Presumed Innocent
Being accused of committing a crime does not mean you are guilty. One of the cornerstones of our democracy lies in the “presumption of innocence.” This means that in a court of law, you walk in innocent and it is the prosecution’s job to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed a crime. It is your defense attorney’s job to present your side and challenge the prosecution’s evidence or lack thereof.
What Is Beyond a Reasonable Doubt?
“Beyond a reasonable doubt” is the standard used to decide guilt or innocence in a criminal trial. A verdict of “Guilty” does not mean the trier of fact (the judge or jury) had no doubt that the defendant committed the crime; it only means that there was no “reasonable doubt.” For instance, if a DNA test shows that there is a 1 in 10 million chance that DNA found at the scene was not the defendant’s, the defense attorney is not going to argue that the test’s 1 in 10 million error rate just made the defendant the most unlucky person in history. The defense attorney will instead be arguing, for instance, that there is a “reasonable doubt” as to the accuracy of the DNA test because of flaws in the collection procedure and testing methodologies.
You Need a Guide
“Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” is the highest burden of proof there is. In a civil trial, for instance, the plaintiff’s attorney only has to prove that it was “more likely than not” that the plaintiff was injured because of the defendant’s negligence. But in a criminal trial, the prosecutor has to prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the defendant has committed each and every element of the alleged crime(s). Not hiring a criminal lawyer s and hoping the prosecutor fails to make his or her case is a dangerous gamble to take with your freedom and future. Dealing with the criminal justice system can feel like entering an unknown forest. You might make it through to the other side on your own, but your chances are better with a guide. As the old saying goes, “a defendant who represents himself or herself has a fool for an attorney.” You want a defense attorney at your side who knows the law and the system.
What Does a Defense Attorney Do?
Because your criminal defense attorney knows the law and knows the people involved – the judges, the police, the prosecutors – he or she will know how best to navigate your case through the system. Your attorney will make sure evidence is properly preserved, conduct an investigation, receive, analyze, and research discovery, research case law, and sort through the prosecution’s case to ensure they acted properly and that none of the rights that are guaranteed to you have been violated.
In most cases, you will be presented with multiple options, and an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you make the best decision. You may be offered a plea deal. A defense attorney will be able to explain the consequences of accepting the deal, see if there is a better deal out there for you, and help you make the decision to make a plea or go to trial. If you go to trial, your attorney will work hard to present your case and explain to the judge or jury why there is reasonable doubt and that a verdict of “not guilty” should be entered.
Get Legal Help Now!
If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, you should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as you can. Just as wandering lost in a forest without a guide is dangerous, trying to navigate the criminal justice system without a criminal defense lawyer could increase the severity of your situation. The criminal defense attorneys at Wilson, Reives & Doran fully understand what your rights are and will fight passionately for you. Call us today at (919) 636-6203 to set up a consultation to speak with one of our experienced attorneys about your case. Wilson, Reives & Doran is here to provide you with trusted, effective and experienced legal counsel.
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