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A solid criminal law defense ensures the rights of the accused are protected and defendants receive fair and impartial treatment under the law. But what goes into a criminal defense? What makes a compelling legal case? Here are some of the essential components of any criminal defense.

A Negating Defense or Affirmative Defensecriminal law

With a negating defense, the defendant denies committing the offense for which they stand accused. In most cases, the defendant will enter a “not guilty” plea. For this strategy to be effective, the defendant and their criminal defense attorney must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is innocent of the charges against them.

In criminal law, an affirmative defense is a strategy that involves the defendant admitting that, yes, they committed the crime, but extenuating circumstances must be considered. For instance, the act may have been in self-defense, or it may have been committed due to the defendant's insanity. There must be sufficient evidence to establish that the crime was somehow justified.

Trial

If a plea bargain is not reached or a defendant asserts their innocence, a trial must occur. Throughout this process, the criminal law attorney will present the defendant's side of the story, highlighting the accused's state of mind and what precisely occurred during the event in question. Evidence and witnesses are subjected to the questioning and scrutiny of the court.

Verdict

Finally, a verdict is handed down. This will decide whether the defendant is guilty or not. In some cases, the jury may be deadlocked, meaning they cannot reach a decision or attain the majority of votes necessary to secure a verdict.

Ronald D. Zipp, Attorney at Law, is a criminal defense lawyer who has been practicing in the New Braunfels, Texas, area for more than 40 years. Call, visit his firm's website, or connect with them via Facebook or Google+ to schedule a consultation. Let a trusted, experienced criminal law attorney safeguard your rights and guarantee your voice is heard throughout the legal process.

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