If you’re facing trial, a criminal defense attorney is who you need on your side. Their most important job is to help you find an effective strategy to deal with the criminal charges in front of you. There are several basic approaches to this problem, each of which is useful in different situations.

Criminal Defense Strategies

1. Cite Procedural Violations

As the police gather evidence against you, there are a few strict rules they have to follow or the evidence can’t be used against you. If your criminal defense attorney can demonstrate, for example, that the officer who searched your home or vehicle didn’t have a warrant or probable cause, it can severely weaken the prosecution’s case.

2. Challenge Evidence

Whatever evidence is brought against you to support criminal charges, it can often be called into question. Your lawyer might attack the credibility of a witness, question the methodology behind certain tests, or provide alternate explanations for other pieces of evidence gathered.

3. Dispute Criteria for Crimes

In many cases, crimes are defined by multiple factors, including the intent and results of the actions. Even if some of the conditions are met, your lawyer can help reduce or eliminate charges by demonstrating you don’t meet all the requirements for a conviction.

4. Reduce Charges

This is a powerful strategy when the prosecution isn’t sure of a conviction. If they don’t have enough evidence or there are extenuating circumstances, your lawyer can convince the court to try you for a less serious crime.

5. Arrange a Plea Deal

One way to reduce charges or get a lighter sentence is through a plea deal. This must be carefully arranged to avoid harming your case, so your attorney’s advice is critical during this process. However, when successful, this strategy limits the damage of a case you can’t win.

Your defense strategy is all that stands between you and serious legal consequences. By planning an effective strategy with your attorney, you are much more likely to win your case or limit the damage of a loss. Jerry F. Lee Attorney at Law has almost 40 years of experience providing legal advice to clients in Cleveland, GA. Whether you need a criminal defense attorney or a civil litigation lawyer, he can help you in areas ranging from family law to personal injury. To arrange a consultation, call (706) 219-2460, or visit him online to see all of his practice areas.