5 Steps Your Criminal Defense Attorney Should Be Taking For You!

If you are under investigation or have been arrested for a crime, it is critical that you hire an experienced Fort Worth Criminal Defense Attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will be your advocate throughout the legal process and will work to protect your rights and ensure that you receive a fair trial. Here are five key steps your criminal defense attorney should be taking for you:

   1. Investigate the Charges Against You

Your attorney will review the charges against you and conduct their own investigation to determine the best course of action. They may speak to witnesses, review evidence, and consult with experts to build a strong defense on your behalf.

  2. Negotiate With prosecutors

In many cases, your attorney will be able to negotiate with prosecutors to have the charges against you reduced or dismissed. They will advocate on your behalf and try to reach a favorable outcome for your case.

  3. Prepare for Trial

If your case goes to trial, your attorney will be by your side every step of the way. They will help you prepare for trial, select jurors, and present your defense in court. They will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome.

  4. Appeal Your Case

If you are convicted, your attorney can help you file an appeal. They will review the case for any errors or misconduct and argue on your behalf to have the conviction overturned.

  5. Protect Your Rights

Throughout the entire process, your attorney will work to protect your rights. They will make sure that you are treated fairly and that you receive a fair trial. They will be your advocate every step of the way and will fight for the best possible outcome for your case.

Hiring a criminal defense attorney is one of the most important steps you can take if you have been charged with a crime. Make sure you choose an experienced attorney who will aggressively defend your rights and ensure that you receive a fair trial.

Investigate The Crime

The basic requirement for any criminal defense attorney to assist their client in obtaining a favorable result on their case is to investigate the charges. How does this happen? First, your criminal lawyer should gain access to police reports, videos, witness statements, lab reports, and other digital media evidence relevant to the case. Secondly, your criminal defense team should review the “information” if your charge is a misdemeanor crime, or the “complaint” or “indictment” if it is a felony crime. The information or complaint is the charging document used by the State of Texas to allege the specific elements of the crime you or your loved one is alleged to have committed. The State of Texas, through the District Attorney’s Office, must allege the manner and means of how the crime was committed and the specific elements of the crime. This is what you or your Fort Worth criminal defense attorney will use to cross-examine the State’s witnesses and, if necessary, present your own evidence and witnesses at trial.

Gather Relevant Facts & Information

After the charging document has been reviewed, your Fort Worth criminal lawyer will want to obtain as much relevant information and facts surrounding your case as possible. This includes talking to any and all witnesses, viewing any videos or pictures related to the case, requesting police reports, and analyzing cell phone records. Once all of this information has been gathered, your Fort Worth defense attorney can begin formulating a legal strategy for how best to defend against the charges.

Discuss Possible Defenses with the Client

After investigating the facts and reviewing the law, your Fort Worth criminal attorney will sit down with you to discuss the possible defenses that may be available in your case. Some of these defenses may be raised able prior to trial, such as a motion to suppress evidence, while others may only be used at trial. It is important that you trust your Fort Worth defense lawyer and feel comfortable discussing all aspects of your case with them, as this information will help them formulate the best legal strategy for your individualized situation.

Plea Bargaining

In some cases, it may be in your best interest to accept a plea bargain from the prosecutor rather than go to trial. Your Fort Worth criminal lawyer can negotiate with the prosecutor on your behalf to try and reach a favorable plea agreement. If an agreement is reached, you will then need to appear in front of the judge to enter a guilty or no contest plea and be sentenced according to the terms of the plea agreement.

Trial

If you do not reach a plea agreement with the prosecutor or the judge denies your motion to suppress, your case will proceed to trial. At trial, both sides will present evidence and argue their respective cases before a jury. If the jury finds you guilty, you will be sentenced according to the law. However, if you are found not guilty, you will be free to go and the charges against you will be dismissed.

Appeal

If you are convicted at trial, you have the right to appeal your conviction. An appeal is a completely different process than a trial and will be handled by a different set of rules and procedures. Your Fort Worth criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the appeals process and determine whether or not you have grounds to file an appeal.

Contact a Fort Worth DWI Lawyer Today

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime, it is important to contact an experienced Fort Worth criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you have legal representation, the better your chances are of achieving a favorable outcome in your case.

Attorney/Client Meeting To Obtain Your Side Of The Story!

After obtaining the evidence from the State, analyzing the evidence thoroughly and formulating an understanding of the case, your criminal lawyer MUST meet with you to get your side of the story. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common steps that many criminal attorneys fail to take advantage of with criminal cases. How can your lawyer prepare a winning legal defense strategy without getting your input?

During this vital meeting, your Fort Worth defense attorney Kyle Whitaker will ask you questions about the facts and circumstances leading up to and surrounding the arrest. It is important that you be honest with your lawyer and provide as much detail as possible. This information will help them understand the strengths and weaknesses of your case so they can better prepare a legal defense strategy.