Clearing your name is our #1 priority.

meet the attorneys case results

What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

Posted on by JACK MKHITARIAN

Advocate

The New Mexico Criminal Defense Attorney’s Role

A criminal defense attorney has multiple roles, but he or she is there for defendants when they are charged for a crime. The crime can be anything from a misdemeanor to a capital offense. The punishments for these crimes can range from community service to fines to the death penalty.

Having adequate representation during a criminal trial is important for any defendant. That is why the U.S. Constitution allows all citizens who have been accused of a crime to be provided with legal representation even if they cannot afford to do so on their own.

What Makes a Criminal Defense Attorney So Important?

Criminal law itself is highly complex. It is overseen by both state-level and federal-level legislation. Every state has its own criminal statutes and definitions for what constitutes a particular crime. These crimes also carry their own penalties.

The average person will not have adequate knowledge of criminal law, let alone how the criminal justice process even works. Unfortunately, criminal law ignorance is not a valid defense. Therefore, the courts will show no mercy to a defendant who chooses to represent him or herself, but don’t understand the process.

While a person can represent him or herself in court with a civil right to do so, the consequences are severe. A person facing a lesser crime may be fine representing his or her own case, but those facing serious charges, such as a felony, should never go pro se in the courtroom.

Criminal Defense Attorneys Start Working Long Before Trial

While the core of the work is presented at trial, a criminal defense attorney is working diligently on your case and your defense long before the trial date is even set. Attorneys assist you throughout the entire criminal process, including your pre-trial or arraignment hearings.

If you call in a criminal defense attorney when you are being questioned by the police, your attorney will already start drafting your defense. They may prevent law enforcement from asking leading questions, which could halt their investigation and stop the allegations against you entirely.

An attorney may be able to convince the court to drop the charges against you, especially if he or she can show that law enforcement did not have probable cause to collect particular evidence.

How A Lawyer Helps You at Trial

If your case is not dismissed through early stage motions or settled in a plea deal, it will likely go to trial. At trial, your criminal defense will deploy his or her defense strategy that was started before you were ever arraigned.

Here they will analyze the case, identify strengths and weaknesses, and present the best case to get you acquitted in court. They will go through every stage of the criminal trial, including motions, jury selection, and presenting evidence. If the trial does not go in your favor, your attorney may still have options for you in appeals court.

If You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney, Contact One Today

Bottom line: If you have been arrested or you are being accused of a crime, you need an attorney. A criminal defense attorney from New Mexico Criminal Law Offices can represent your rights during each stage of the criminal process – including police questioning. Do not risk your freedom and represent yourself in court; instead, contact us for a free case evaluation at 505-375-4664 or request more information online.