When people commit crimes, many assume that since they are guilty of the crimes, they should not spend time or effort hiring a criminal defense lawyer. Ultimately, they do not believe that having experienced legal counsel to represent them will make a difference in the outcome of their cases.
However, for various reasons, hiring a lawyer for guidance during your criminal proceedings is always a good idea. Even if there is no question that you committed the crime of which you are accused, you may still benefit from the advice that only a skilled criminal defense lawyer can provide you.
First, the burden of proof in a criminal case is on the prosecutor, who must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed a crime. Meeting this burden of proof requires admissible, legally valid evidence that you committed the crime. In some cases, the police may have illegally obtained evidence, which makes it inadmissible in court. Evidence may be lost or compromised by mishandling. Police may not have gathered enough evidence to support a criminal conviction. If this is the case, then you may not always be convicted of the crime, even if you did commit it.
Furthermore, a knowledgeable defense attorney may be able to negotiate reduced charges, reduced penalties, or even a dismissal of all charges in rare cases. Instead of simply pleading guilty to a crime and accepting whatever initial offer and penalties that a prosecutor offers you, an attorney may be able to improve the resolution of your case. By pointing to weaknesses in the state’s case, the prosecutor ultimately may agree to reduced charges or penalties. Likewise, your defense attorney is likely to have handled hundreds of cases in your jurisdiction just like yours. This situation makes your attorney far more likely to obtain a plea agreement in your case than you might be able to achieve on your own.
If you or a family member is facing any criminal charges, we may be able to help. As experienced Texas criminal defense attorneys, we have the knowledge needed to help you navigate through often-complex criminal proceedings. Call us today at (512) 399-2311 and schedule an appointment with one of our criminal defense lawyers and learn how we can assist you.