There are three central roles in every criminal case: the prosecution, the judge, and the defense. The prosecutor works to convict the accused of a crime, often by any means necessary. The judge plays the role of the neutral referee, although no judge is complete without bias. Only the defense attorney has the best interests of the accused at heart. 

A criminal lawyer is an advocate for someone that is accused of an illegal act. They advise their clients on their legal rights and advocate for them in court. A criminal attorney could pursue a plea bargain on their client’s behalf or fight for them at trial. 

Ultimately, your choice of a criminal lawyer will have an enormous impact on the outcome of the charges against you. To discuss your case in detail, contact the criminal defense lawyers of Gerald Miller today to schedule a free consultation. 

The Value of a Criminal Defense Attorney

Hiring the right attorney is important to anyone facing the potential of a criminal conviction. While the court might allow you to represent yourself in some cases, that decision is certain to work against you. 

Every state prosecutor has the full weight of the government behind them. They can rely on the police to serve as their investigators, and they typically have extensive backing from elected officials. With so much adversity facing you, it is never advisable to take on this challenge alone. 

By hiring a skilled criminal defense lawyer, you can ensure you make the best case possible for acquittal. Your attorney can argue for a dismissal of the charges against you, and potentially see those charges reduced or dismissed entirely. 

What a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Do for You

When you hire a Minnesota criminal defense lawyer, they take on many roles for you. These roles include: 

• Evaluate your case. The process of defending you in a criminal case begins with a thorough investigation. Your attorney will assess every aspect of your case, starting with your arrest. Your criminal defense attorney will determine what occurred and assess the strength of the evidence against you. 
• Collect evidence. After reviewing your arrest, it will be time for your attorney to compile the evidence that is in your favor. This could include anything from exculpatory video evidence to helpful witness testimony. 
• Building a defense. After investigating the claim and compiling evidence, your attorney must next build a winning defense. There are countless defenses available, but not everyone will make sense in your case. Your criminal defense lawyer must identify the defense that is the best fit for your facts. 
• Talking with the prosecutor. Not every criminal case goes to trial. The effort to resolve a criminal charge without the need for a trial starts with a discussion with the prosecutor. Your criminal defense attorney could speak with the prosecution in an effort to have your charges dismissed. In other cases, they could ask for the charges to be reduced. Your attorney can also discuss the possibility of a plea bargain. 
• Fighting for you at trial. When cases go to trial, the true value of your attorney will become obvious. Prevailing at trial takes skill and experience, highlighting the importance of choosing the right criminal defense lawyer. 

What to Look for in a Defense Attorney

Finding the right criminal defense lawyer requires more than a careful review of a lawyer’s resume. Experience with defending the accused is important, but it is only one fact you should pay attention to. Some of the other factors to consider when hiring a criminal defense attorney are:

• Communication. Find an attorney that makes themselves available to you. 
• Capable of handling stress. Criminal defense is stressful work. Find an attorney that is up to the challenge. 
• Relatable. You will spend substantial time with your lawyer. Find one that you get along with. 
• Knowledgeable. A defense attorney should know the basics of criminal law backward and forwards. Find someone that knows the answer to your questions from experience. 

Contact Gerald Miller Right Away

Do not leave your future to chance. If you are facing criminal charges in Minnesota, let the skilled attorneys at Gerald Miller review your case. Our team can guide you every step of the way through the justice system. To learn more about how we can help. Schedule your free consultation with Gerald Miller today at (612) 440-4608.