When you are facing criminal charges, there is a lot at stake. Your emotions and stress are probably incredibly high, and it can be difficult to focus on things like choosing one of many criminal defense attorneys available to you. However, which lawyer to hire is one decision that is worth paying attention to, because your choice of attorney can make all the difference between a conviction and successfully defeating the charges against you.
Guidance during police questioning
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the United States Constitution grant you the right to have an attorney present any time the police question you. This is important because attorneys with experience have training in helping people to avoid incriminating themselves. Your attorney can counsel you on the best way to answer police questions, or when to refuse to answer, in order to avoid destroying your case before it begins.
Protection from illegal questioning techniques
Occasionally, police will use questioning techniques that violate a defendant’s due process rights. For example, they may set up a lineup of suspects that is not impartial, and place you in a position where the witness is more likely to choose you. If you have an attentive attorney present during the lineup, they will be able to identify unconstitutional techniques like this and demand that the police correct the problematic elements.
Identification of improper evidence
If the prosecutor attempts to introduce evidence that hasn’t been properly authenticated, or tries to introduce a witness statement that violates your due process rights, it will be up to your attorney to recognize those things and put a stop to them. The right attorney will be able to make it as hard as possible for the prosecutor to prove their case against you by making sure that their evidence meets the required standards for a court of law.
There’s no guarantee that even an excellent lawyer will be able to defeat any charges brought against you. But, with so much on the line, you will have more peace of mind as you prepare for your trial if you have the right attorney on your side.