Preparing for Your Case: Tips From a Criminal Defense Attorney

A criminal defense attorney is the legal professional to turn to if you have been accused of a crime. The first thing to understand is that the suspect or accused person is the defense attorney’s client; the attorney works for them. As part of due process, the defense attorney is a trusted adviser with whom the accused can speak openly. Effectively preparing for your case starts with understanding your rights and following a Missouri lawyer’s tips to protect your best interest.

Roles and rights in a criminal defense case

Every criminal case has two sides: the prosecution and the defense. The prosecution works with law enforcement to prove that the defense (the accused person) is guilty. On the other hand, the defense comprises the criminal defense attorney and their client (the accused), who work in the best interest of the accused. The defense attorney will, therefore, prepare a defense that attempts to get the charges reduced or dropped. 

Unfortunately, many clients do not know their rights and unintentionally compromise their cases when speaking to law enforcement. This is why having a criminal defense attorney who can consult with the client while in custody and do most of the talking is crucial. The defense attorney will be there throughout the process, from police interviews to court arraignments.

3 tips for preparing and protecting your case

Know your rights when in custody

The most important tip is to remember that, while in custody, law enforcement officers must respect the suspect’s legal rights. More specifically, officers are legally obligated to:

• Respect the suspect’s right to silence
• Grant the suspect access to a Missouri lawyer
• Provide food, water, and medical care while in custody
• Clearly state the charges
• Release the suspect after 24 hours if no criminal charges are made

Be honest with your criminal defense attorney

Another key tip is for the suspect to be consistent in what they tell their criminal defense attorney. No legal professional can work with a changing story. Likewise, give a complete account; the defense attorney’s job is to sift through information and find what is useful for the case. Heed the Missouri lawyer’s advice on what questions to answer to the police, what to say, and when to say nothing.

Be aware of potential outcomes

The final tip is to openly discuss what is attainable in one’s case with a criminal defense attorney. As mentioned, a major element of a defense attorney’s work is to get the charges reduced or dropped. A vast majority of criminal cases in the United States are settled by plea bargain. This means the Missouri lawyer negotiates reduced charges to which their client is willing to admit culpability. Not every case will end like this, but it is important to have realistic expectations.

Find a criminal defense attorney to help you

A criminal defense attorney will fight to protect your rights and uphold the principle of fair and transparent law for all. Work with your defense attorney closely to build the case. And remember, they work for you, not for the police or the courts.

For more information or to schedule a consultation with us, call our Springfield office at (417) 865-2181. Call Dean Price Law today. NOTE: This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Criminal Defense Attorney in Springfield, MO.