A strong criminal defense is crucial to protecting your rights and achieving favorable outcomes, such as acquittal, pleading guilty to a lesser charge, or aiming for the lightest penalties possible. For a guilty verdict, the prosecuting attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is responsible for the crime in question. Here are three common types of criminal defenses.

A Guide to Common Criminal Defense Strategies

1. The Suspect Is Not Guilty

Claiming innocence is a denial of all wrongdoing and challenging the charges against you. For this strategy to be successful, you need to work with your attorney to prove the charges are false. This might mean having a verifiable alibi, calling eyewitnesses to testify, accusing someone else of the crime, or arguing that there was no crime in the first place.

2. The Crime Was Justifiable

In some cases, a suspect may be able to assert that the crime committed was justifiable. They’re admitting that they committed the offense, but it was done to protect themselves or others from grave danger. Killing in self-defense is one example of a justifiable crime. Duress is another kind of justifiable offense, in which the suspect proves that they committed the crime because they were forced to by another party.

3. The Suspect Is Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

The insanity defense is often employed, but it can be a challenge to prove. There’s no standard definition of insanity. Even among people who are clinically insane, there are varying degrees of self-awareness, understanding of cause and effect, and ownership of personal responsibility. For a person to have a strong insanity defense, they must be willing to share their medical history with their attorneys and with the courts. Also, medical professionals will need to attest to the suspect's mental health, and the suspect needs to have a documented history of psychological issues.

It's important to understand that you’re always innocent until proven otherwise, and The Law Offices of Conti, Levy and Salerno, LLC in Torrington, CT, will ensure you have a compelling defense strategy. Their criminal defense attorneys have more than 90 years of experience representing clients in the area. They also offer representation in personal and work injuries, real estate transactions, and family law cases. Call (860) 482-4451 or visit their website to schedule a consultation.