What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

A criminal defense attorney provides a number of important services to their clients. When someone is accused of a crime, they have the option to either hire a private criminal defense attorney or have one appointed to them by their local government. No matter which option they choose, it is important to understand just what a criminal defense attorney does and why they are so important to obtaining a fair trial. Read on for more information.

In need of a Milwaukee criminal defense attorney? Call Fenton Law Office today.

They Help Build a Case for Your Innocence

As the old saying goes, anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty. In a court of law, evidence is king. If you are accused of a crime, you must be prepared to present evidence that shows you are innocent. It is the job of the prosecution to gather evidence that will convince a judge and jury that you are guilty of the crime in question.

For the average American citizen, this process of building a case in your own defense is a somewhat insurmountable task when considered alongside the need to attend to other obligations of daily life. The sole purpose of the profession for criminal defense attorneys is to work tirelessly to help defendants build a case for trial.

They Ensure the Quality of Evidence Presented

There are many types of evidence that a criminal defense attorney will help collect in order to support their client’s case. Some of the most common types of evidence include:

Real evidence, which is any kind of material or substance that was present at the scene when the alleged crime was committed. A classic example of real evidence is the bloody glove presented to the court in the trial of O.J. Simpson.

Documentary evidence, which is sometimes considered part of real evidence. This type of evidence helps to document and structure the events that lead to the crime in question. For example, if a defendant has been accused of forging checks, then documentary evidence would include the checks that were cashed and flagged as forged.

Demonstrative evidence, which are used to help build structure and subsistence to a defense argument. Diagrams and visual timelines are examples of demonstrative evidence and are used to help a judge and jury keep track of important events as they relate to the case.

Testimonial evidence, which is any statement or testimony made by a witness that has valuable information as it relates to the case.

Digital evidence, which is any type of evidence taken from an electronic device. Text messages, e-mails, and video files are all examples of digital evidence.

While collecting evidence is a necessary part of the process, criminal defense attorneys must also parse through all the collected evidence in order to determine what is valid and helpful to the case and what pieces of evidence are not verifiable and may actually work against the goal of building an airtight defense. This can often take much longer than the process of first collecting the evidence.

They Help Defendants Understand Timelines and Requirements

With any criminal case, there will be important timelines, meeting dates, and requirements that the defendant must adhere to in order to ensure a fair and expedient trial. Without the assistance of an experienced local criminal defense attorney, defendants run the risk of missing a requirement which will impede the entire process and may reflect poorly in the eyes of the judge and jury.

The average misdemeanor case will tend to reach a resolution in two to five months. However, a felony case can take up to a year or longer, depending on the overall complexity of the case. Having an experienced legal professional with you through this time is something that many accused individuals cannot do without.

They Keep Clients Grounded

One important and often overlooked asset of a good criminal defense attorney is their ability to keep the fears and frustrations of their clients in check. The reality of navigating the legal system can be a very traumatic experience, and a good attorney can be a source of positive mental health and balance throughout this process.

If you’re facing charges and need support, call Milwaukee Criminal Defense Attorney Jay Fenton today. Attorney Fenton supports clients facing cases related to domestic abuse, DUIs, traffic tickets, gun and firearm crimes, and more. Call us today with questions or to get started.