Most Americans understand a lawyer as someone who represents individuals in a court of law. This is part of the definition, but there are narrower definitions that you only get to understand when you are involved in a legal matter that requires a lawyer.
Defense attorneys focus on the criminal branch of law, and their main role is to offer legal advice and representation to criminal defendants. This guide looks into defense attorneys, their roles, and the situations where you need to hire one.
When Do You Need a Defense Attorney?
The Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution gives every defendant the right to legal representation, which begins after an arrest.
You can invoke your right whether or not you can afford to hire a lawyer. If you cannot hire one, the court will have to assign you a public defender who is a professional defense attorney. The only difference is that they will be on a state payroll, and their main duty is handling cases of individuals who cannot afford a private lawyer.
“The public defender plays the same role as a private defense attorney, but you are more likely to get a better outcome with a private attorney because you are paying for their time and they have a reputation to protect. So, the answer to when you need a defense attorney is every time you face a criminal charge,” says Minnesota defense attorney Omeed Berenjian.
What Does a Defense Attorney Do?
A defense attorney’s primary role is to protect defendants’ rights by helping them build a defense that reduces the negative consequences of the charges they are facing.
They achieve this goal by helping with investigations and evidence-gathering, guiding their clients through the do’s and don’ts of navigating a criminal charge. They can help develop a defense strategy, and help with an appeal in situations where there is evidence of a miscarriage of justice in the criminal procedure.
What to Look For In a Defense Lawyer
If you’re going with a public defender, you don’t have the luxury of choosing the skill level and the defender’s experience assigned to your case. So, you will end up with a general practice lawyer. A general practice lawyer is better than not having one, but they may not have as good insight into specific crimes.
When choosing a defense lawyer, you first want to pay attention to the years they have been practicing. Well-versed lawyers will always flaunt their experience on the website, so if you can’t find it there, they probably don’t have sufficient experience, but you could always ask.
Secondly, you want to pay attention to their focus area based on the charge you are facing. For example, if you are facing a DUI charge, you will have better representation if you work with a lawyer with a DUI as their area of specialization.
Geographical Area of Practice and Reputation
Their geographical area of practice is also essential. You want a lawyer who has insight into local laws and can access them anytime you want to see them. So, while you may have a good lawyer from another state, having a Minnesota-based lawyer representing you in a Minnesota court is best.
The reputation also matters. A lawyer will try to hide a poor reputation if they have one, but past clients tend to talk. So check out the reviews on online legal review sites, social media for past client sentiments, or ask around. Not everyone will have positive sentiments about a lawyer, but many ethical questions or concerns about them should be a red flag.
Media Information:
BK Law Group
Minneapolis, Minnesota
(612) 482-5444
https://bk-lawgroup.com/
