If you’ve been accused of a crime, your rights need to be protected. To do this, defense attorneys use numerous strategies to ensure you’re treated fairly in court. Knowing these possible defenses will help you understand your case as it develops.

What Are Common Defense Strategies Used in Criminal Law?

1. Self-Defense

In some situations, varying degrees of force may be needed to defend yourself or someone else. The resulting violence may result in assault or even death. Your defense attorney will suggest that the force you used was necessary and comparable to the amount being used by the attacker.

It’s also possible that you were defending someone who was being attacked in the moment. You may have assaulted the attacker, but it was in defense of another’s wellbeing.

2. Rights Violation

Whether on accident or on purpose, the police don’t always do their job correctly. This may result in your constitutional rights being violated. If they are, it may lead to a complete dismissal of the case against you.

Rights are violated when officers perform an illegal search and seizure of you or your property. If entering your property, they must present a warrant. Without a warrant, the search is unlawful.

During an arrest, officers must read out your Miranda Rights. Any confessions must be obtained through lawful methods. If these rules aren’t followed, your rights were violated.

3. Innocence

By pleading innocent, the responsibility is on the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you aren’t.

While your defense attorney doesn’t have to prove your innocence, you can offer evidence that supports your claim, including witnesses, personal testimony, and documentation.

4. Alibi

Alternatively, the alibi defense places the responsibility on your attorney. They must prove that you were elsewhere when the crime occurred.

The court accepts evidence from others who can verify they were with you in another location at the time of the crime. You can also submit receipts, cellphone records, and surveillance footage to substantiate your claim.

If arrested, you need lawyers with the skills and experience to defend you properly. Craven & Perry, PLLC have over 20 years of experience as defense attorneys and make their services available 24/7. Whether you need representation for a DUI, a misdemeanor, or a felony, they’ll provide comprehensive and compassionate legal support. If you’re in the Gulf Shores, AL, area, reach out to them at (251) 968-8170. For more information on their services, including real estate law, visit their website.