When someone is accused of a crime, the prosecutor must prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant’s attorney tries to bring that guilt into question to convince the judge and jury of their client’s innocence. If you were charged with a crime, here are some strategies your defense attorney might use to get a “not guilty” verdict.

What Are Some Criminal Defenses Your Attorney May Use?

1. Self-Defense

If you did commit a crime, your lawyer might argue that your actions were justified. They'll try to convince the judge and jury that the victim put your life in imminent danger, and you acted in self-defense. The defense attorney will question witnesses and present other evidence to prove the victim was actually the assailant, and you acted swiftly to protect yourself, your property, or others in harm's way.

2. Alibi

Once you share the circumstances of the crime and your arrest with an attorney, they might decide an alibi defense is the best strategy. This means you were somewhere else when the event occurred and therefore aren't guilty of the crime. The lawyer will present evidence, such as CCTV footage or receipts, to prove your whereabouts. Witnesses who were with you or saw you in a different location when the crime occurred will also be called on to give testimony and corroborate the alibi.

3. Statute of Limitations

Depending on the crime, there might be a window of time when the victim can come forward and the prosecution can gather a case. For example, the statute of limitations to report certain misdemeanor crimes in North Carolina is two years. If the statute of limitations has passed, your attorney will argue that the case should be thrown out.

To discuss possible defense strategies pertaining to your case, contact The Law Offices of H.A. (Alec) Carpenter IV in Greensboro, NC. Since 1997, this attorney has been committed to helping clients in Guilford County get fair trials to increase the likelihood of favorable outcomes. Visit the criminal law firm online to see what types of cases the counselor handles, and call (336) 333-5255 for a consultation.