Facing criminal charges is a harrowing experience. Having a supportive criminal defense attorney can make the stressful ordeal of a trial much more straightforward and less intimidating.
Confronting Criminal Charges
Being accused and charged with criminal charges of any kind can immediately negatively impact your life. You may not know what to do, who to trust, or how the justice system works. Feeling out of control in a situation that could result in time spent in jail or prison is scary. To ease this fear, securing the support of a criminal defense attorney may help.
Criminal defense attorneys not only represent your side of the case during trial, they build a relationship with you in order to secure the best possible outcome in lieu of the charges against you. Criminal defense attorneys who do their jobs well are caring and nonjudgemental when it comes to their clients. They also are knowledgeable about the law and work tirelessly to ensure their clients get the best chance at a positive resolution.
When looking for a criminal defense attorney to represent you, or a loved one, consider what that attorney brings both intellectually and emotionally to your case. Of course it’s important to hire a criminal defense attorney who is smart and knows their way around the courtroom, but it is also important that they are empathetic, concerned about you, and protective of your rights.
Legal Support
Criminal defense attorneys safeguard their clients rights while maintaining open communication with their clients. One of the most important traits of successfully defending against criminal charges is knowing the law, especially the fourth, fifth, and sixth amendments that protect a client’s constitutional rights. Some other highly essential ways in which a criminal defense attorney gives legal support to a client include:
- Giving Guidance: Keeping clients informed is expected; explaining complex laws and procedures as well as advice on plea bargains should also be part of the deal. Knowing the law inside and out also helps to build trust with a client, as well as show the prosecution that the defense is ready and has a plan.
- Investigating Everything: Building a strong defense means analyzing all of the evidence against a client, interviewing witnesses, looking to experts to fill in any gaps in knowledge about specifics, and reviewing the case over and over again.
- Checking Legality: Making sure that any evidence that was illegally obtained is suppressed is very important to a fair trial. In order to fully legally support a client, a criminal defense attorney must file motions and challenge what the prosecution thinks they have against your client.
- Maintaining Confidentiality: Confidentiality builds trust with a client and allows them the space to be completely honest with their attorney. This honesty is what allows a criminal defense attorney to identify any weaknesses in the case, build a strong defense, and prevent unfair convictions.
While all of these aspects of legal support are paramount to an effective criminal defense attorney, emotional support must also be part of the relationship they have with a client.
Emotional Support
Criminal defense attorneys should be emotionally supporting their clients just as much as they are legally supporting them. Emotional support boils down to one thing: trust. If there is trust between the accused and their attorney, the defense is more effective. Some ways in which a criminal defense attorney is emotionally supportive of a client include:
- Managing Stress: Obviously being accused of a crime brings a level of stress with it. A criminal defense attorney should be reassuring to their client as well as transparent. Making sure all aspects of the case are explained and understood goes a long way in reducing anxiety about what’s going to happen, or what’s coming next.
- Upholding Dignity: Many people accused of a crime feel shame and embarrassment which can lead them to being less than honest with their attorney. A competent criminal defense attorney will build trust and treat their client with respect in order to emotionally support them. This provides a foundation for mutual appreciation and regard.
- Showing Compassion: A criminal defense attorney should actively listen to their client. Someone who may lose everything because of the charges against them is going to be scared and unstable. A criminal defense attorney who can be strong and resilient for their client only helps to build a strong defense. If the client knows they can rely on their attorney, the chances of a positive outcome are greater.
Finding a criminal defense attorney who genuinely cares about you and the outcome of your case is imperative. Emotional support can mean as much as legal support.
The Right Team to Represent You
If you’ve been accused of a crime, securing a criminal defense attorney who is not only legally supportive but also emotionally supportive should be your plan. The legal team at the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot has the experience and integrity to support you in every way. We build relationships with our clients in order to build the best defense strategy we can. Remember that legal support as well as emotional support is necessary for a complete defense.
Reach out to the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot today for your legally and emotionally supportive criminal defense team!
