How Your Attorney Prepares For Your Criminal Trial

When the court files criminal charges against you for alleged crimes, you can hire a criminal defense attorney for help. Your attorney can help you learn your options for facing the charges, which typically includes accepting a plea bargain or going to trial. If you choose to go to trial for the charges, your attorney can help you prepare for this event. Here are some of the ways they accomplish this goal.

Research the Evidence and Details of the Crime

The first thing your attorney will do is research the evidence and details of the crime. If you want to skip the plea bargain and go to trial instead, it is likely because you believe that you are not guilty or that there is enough evidence to put doubt in the court's mind. Your attorney might ask you a lot of questions about the situation to learn more about it. After that, the lawyer will look for witnesses and evidence to use as they prepare for your trial.

Develop a Strategy

One of the major parts of preparing for a criminal trial is coming up with a strategy. Your attorney must determine the best strategy to use to defend you, and lawyers use a lot of different ones depending on the situation. For example, they might use an alibi as a witness to prove that you were not at the crime scene. They might also use other forms of evidence to convince the court that you did not commit the crime.

Coach You on Your Part

You might have the option of testifying at your court trial. Your lawyer can advise you as to whether this is a good idea or not, and you should seriously consider your attorney's advice. If you decide to testify at your trial, your attorney will spend some time coaching you. Coaching you prepares you for the potential questions the prosecution might ask you when you take the stand. It helps you learn how to answer the questions, and it helps you learn what to say and avoid saying when on the stand.

It often takes months before a criminal trial takes place, which gives you ample time to work on your case. If you need some help preparing your case and have not yet hired an attorney, look for a criminal defense attorney in your city with experience fighting the types of charges that you face. Contact a local criminal defense attorney to learn more.