Defining Defense
Thursday by:Life is a series of choices that people make. Most of these choices are very simple ones and have little impact on other’s lives – what to have for breakfast, or what to wear that day, for instance. Most of the people that we interact with we choose, except for family of course, and maybe that coworker that’s really annoying. And for the most part, we’re quite content to go to work, spend time with family and friends, and sometimes go out and have a good time.
But sometimes, life takes unexpected turns. Sometimes things happen between people that can cause us to make difficult choices based on our emotions. Sometimes, horrible things happen that are beyond our control. Sometimes, we just make bad decisions that hurt others. One bad decision can cause life to change irrevocably, and that’s when we wind up in court.
Whether the case is in civil or criminal court, it is vital that we are represented by an attorney. Being a defendant accused of a crime can be a frightening experience. A defense lawyer is a person who knows the law and the proceedings of the court and speaks for the defendant. Their job is to tell the court why their client should not be held responsible in a civil suit, or should not be found guilty of the crime in question in a criminal case.
It is so very important to have a trusting relationship between the defense attorney and the client because the client’s future depends on it. The defense attorney needs to know the whole story, the entire reason why the defendant is in court, so that they can apply the best defense. The defense is the reasoned argument and evidence that the defense lawyer presents to the court. They try to convince the court that the defendant did not commit a crime, or that the defendant deserves a lesser sentence if they are found guilty. Some of the things that defense attorneys do include:
present evidence to support their client’s position
understand legal proceedings
convince the jury that there is ‘reasonable doubt’
research and investigate all aspects and all witnesses of the case
know when to call for a mistrial or an appeal
negotiate with the prosecution
question witnesses
The ideal relationship between the attorney and the client should be honest and candid. The client should feel free to share their story, and the attorney should feel comfortable in telling the client what their chances of success really are. If the case warrants negotiations with the prosecution, the client has to believe that they are getting the best possible deal under the circumstances. After all, the client’s future depends on it.
Because the client/attorney relationship is so close, it is important to choose the right attorney for you. Call on the experienced defense attorneys at Rizio and Nelson. They have the expertise to help you in court, and they care for your future.
