What is a Criminal Defense Lawyer? A criminal defense lawyer is an attorney who specializes in defending those accused of crimes. They are usually called upon when the prosecution has enough evidence to convict their client, but they do not believe it was done in accordance with the law or if there are other circumstances that would warrant an acquittal. The job of a criminal defense lawyer includes representing clients at trial and filing appeals on behalf of their client should they be found guilty.
Criminal Defense Lawyers specialize in areas such as white collar crime, domestic violences charges, drug offenses, sex offenses, theft offenses and violent crimes such as robbery or assault.
There are many different types of lawyers that work for the public defender’s office which provides legal representation to people who cannot afford to hire a private criminal defense lawyer.
What is the purpose of a criminal defense lawyer? The main goal of a criminal defense lawyer is to defend their client from prosecution and, if they are found guilty, try to lessen the consequences. This can be done by trying to get them acquitted or by negotiating with the prosecutor on how much time they will serve if they plead guilty or no contest.
Why do people commit crimes in the first place?
There are many reasons why one may commit a crime. Some people do it for fun, some do it out of anger and revenge and others do it because they have no other way to earn money.
Among the most common reasons is that people are pressured to commit a crime.
Another common reason is that people are just reckless and like to take risks. They’re addicted to risk taking so they often act unwisely without thinking about the consequences of their actions.
In many cases a person commits a crime out of peer pressure and influence from other gang members or friends who had already committed the same offense. Whatever the reason, committing a crime is always wrong in any circumstance.
Let the punishment fit the crime.
According to the philosophy, “let the punishment fit the crime,” when you commit a crime, it is important to consider how long will you be locked up and how harshly you will be punished. The first thing that comes to mind is: What are your legal options? Do they really have evidence against me? What is the maximum punishment for this crime?
If you have been charged with a criminal offense or are under investigation for a suspected crime, and you are worried about what will happen to you as a result of that, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. The main goal of Criminal Defense Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale is to lessen the consequences of your crime.
Even if you have been charged with a serious criminal offense, you may be able to get the charges dismissed against you, or at least lessened. Your attorney could negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf in order to get better terms and conditions for you within the justice system.
Today, a lot of people are accused and charged with committing white collar crimes. These include embezzlement, insider trading and fraud. The laws regarding these offenses have become very strict in recent years. People who commit these kind of crime can face long prison sentences as well as fines that could lead to their bankruptcy. Sometimes they also get sentenced to paying back the money they stole as well.
This is why getting help from a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale could be very important. He or she can negotiate for you and try to get the punishment reduced. For example, if you have been found guilty of insider trading, your attorney could argue that it was just an act of negligence and not out of a deliberate intent to commit fraud. This is what he would argue if you have been charged with embezzlement as well.
He can also review the evidence on your behalf and look for any loopholes that could help reduce the sentence, perhaps by showing that you were just an accessory to a crime committed or it had been done without your knowledge and consent. By doing this, your attorney would try to lessen the charges and eventually the punishment you will receive.
Pay fines, fees, and other costs associated with the crime
Every crime has fines, fees, and other costs associated with it. These are unavoidable unless you have the wealth to completely absorb these monetary punishments. Nevertheless, try your best to pay what you can when required (and if possible) before the time-frame is up so you’ll be in better shape from that aspect.
Take responsibility and accept what you did was wrong.
It’s vital you recognize that, in part, your actions led to the harsh consequences of committing a crime. In other words, if you don’t acknowledge this fact and take responsibility for what happened during or immediately after the act was committed, expect to carry the burden of unfairness around your neck for a long time. Even worse, don’t be surprised if you’re not allowed to lessen the consequences of your crime or even receive forgiveness from those you’ve hurt. Don’t do this out of guilt! But, take responsibility because it’s time for an attitude adjustment and a good way to start is by admitting what went wrong.
If possible, try to remain in contact with friends/family who care about you.
Sometimes, it’s hard to remain in contact with people when there are so many barriers between you and them. And, if your crime was that bad, then your family/friends may be too ashamed and hurt to speak with you of their own volition at the moment. But, it doesn’t mean they’re gone forever. Give it time and try your best to stay in touch with those who care about you. If they don’t want to speak with you, then simply keep sending messages until one day they decide to respond or meet up with you.
Serve jail time or probation term if applicable.
The consequences for committing a crime are not one-sided. You will be punished and in some cases, your punishment is going to involve being locked up or closely monitored within a probation term. So, don’t fake it! Acknowledge the mistake and do what’s necessary to lessen the severity of the crime at hand. What’s more, many people say this is the most effective way to lessen the consequences of committing a crime. It’s not easy, but you’ll be amazed at what comes from it.
In addition, expect that extra attention will be placed on your actions whenever you’re around children. So, if your relationship with them was close and/or you have kids of your own (or plan on having kids of your own in the future), then try to lessen the effect you have on them concerning this aspect. Do whatever it takes – even if it means changing your lifestyle!
Seek counseling for any emotional or mental issues that may be caused by committing a crime
A big part of why people commit crimes is due to the fact that they need their own help emotionally and mentally. So, if you or someone you know has ever committed a crime – consider seeking counseling so you can get back on track!
Avoid bad influences as much as possible
If there are people around who pressure you into committing crimes – cut them out of your life immediately. In addition, don’t allow people to convince you into acting out in ways that are unnecessary and destructive. If you have ever been around people who are constantly trying to make you do things that aren’t right – stay away from them if possible. The only reason they’re trying to convince you otherwise is because it makes them feel good . Do not be tempted or mislead by people who aren’t going to be there for you when things start getting rough.
Avoid using drugs and alcohol whenever possible.
If you have used any drugs and/or alcohol before, during, or after the crime was committed, it’s vital you recognize that it’s not an innocent crime. In essence, you have committed a crime because you did something illegal and/or immoral. It may be difficult to identify the point in time why your actions were wrong or made you “guilty” of committing a crime, but if drugs/alcohol had anything to do with it, then you need to be honest with yourself and seek help.
The law is a complex system that can be difficult to understand and navigate. If you’re looking for more information about criminal defense, we would suggest reaching out to a lawyer in your area or state. There are a number of lawyers that can help you understand the criminal court system, as well as how to lessen the consequences of your charges for both juvenile and adult crimes.
You do not have to go through this process alone, as there is a lawyer out there who can assist you throughout every step. When facing these serious legal ramifications, being able to speak with someone who knows exactly where you stand can be a relief. Additionally, having legal representation through the court process eliminates confusion as to your rights and obligations. When faced with an overwhelming legal battle, it is essential for criminal defendants to seek help from others who are more knowledgeable about the law and how it pertains directly to their situation.