Why a Missouri State Court Criminal Defense Attorney is the Right Choice to Represent You

No matter the reason, facing criminal charges without legal representation is the worst thing for people to do. After being charged with a criminal offense, a state court criminal defense attorney can navigate the legal process and also avoid costly mistakes. At Dean Price Law, Price has the knowledge and skills to help defend clients and their best interests.

The conviction process

Even though a person might be arrested based on an officer’s subjective judgment, the person is not necessarily charged with the crime.  To be formally charged with a crime, the arresting officer will usually need to:

• Prepare and file a written report providing details about the incident
• State an official reason for making the arrest
• Provide evidence to the prosecutor’s office

The attorney has the prosecutorial discretion to proceed with the case, deciding whether to prove the person guilty of the offense. If the prosecutor is convinced enough evidence exists, the prosecutor will file a formal criminal charge. This is the moment when the person charged should consult with a criminal defense attorney to avoid a future conviction. 

The Importance of a state court criminal defense attorney

Regardless of one’s faith in the criminal justice system, the practical reality is the difficulty of self-representation throughout the entire process. Since each situation can be different, an experienced attorney who can analyze the merits of each case is important. This can even impact the trial results.

A proper state court criminal defense attorney, if well equipped, can properly prepare including evaluating the case, negotiating plea deals and potentially representing the case at trial.  

Evaluating the case

A state court criminal defense attorney’s responsibilities begin before the courtroom.  In fact, the trial is usually the final step, and can sometimes be avoided.  To properly evaluate the case, the attorney will investigate all the case details including interviewing witnesses, reading reports of the crime scene and analyzing the crime scene.  After reviewing the relevant information, the attorney can correctly determine the prospects of both acquittal and conviction, providing a recommendation to the accused person. 

Negotiating plea deals

It has become increasingly common for prosecutors to offer plea deals, sometimes immediately after being charged with the crime. In these situations, the prosecutor has most, if not all, of the bargaining power. Prosecutors are incentivized to offer plea deals to save time, money and other resources. 

In exchange, the plea deal usually requires the accused person to admit their guilt in exchange for a lesser sentence.  Based on the discrepancy in bargaining power, the defense attorney can objectively determine whether accepting the plea bargain is in the accused person’s best interest or can negotiate for more favorable terms that are based on the specific facts of the situation. 

Representation at trial

In the end, the defendant decides whether to accept any offered plea deal or proceed to trial, based on their own judgment and any input from a defense attorney. In the event the defendant chooses to proceed to trial, a trained state court criminal defense attorney can better decide how to present the information to the courtroom. Once the trial begins, the attorney will best represent the defendant’s interests when presenting evidence in the courtroom, abiding by the specific procedural rules of the courtroom and advocating for the defendant. 

Viewed as a whole, the attorney’s role in the defense is indispensable from beginning to end. To respond to the complexities of the criminal justice system, make sure to be equipped with any and all advantages. 

Call (417) 865-2181 today to reach Dean Price Law .

NOTE: This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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