What Does a Criminal Lawyer Do?
What is a Criminal Attorney and How Do I Choose the Right One?
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May 11, 2020When you get in trouble with the law, it can be confusing at times to determine if you need a criminal lawyer or a civil lawyer. Knowing what each type of lawyer specializes in can help you decide which type of lawyer can best represent you. Let’s take a look at what each type of lawyer does and how they can benefit your case.
What Does a Civil Lawyer Do?
A civil lawyer helps to defend people in civil lawsuits. These are not criminal charges because laws were not broken. They can tend to focus on recovering money or property. They can also involve the following areas:
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Employment Law
- Real Estate Law
- Personal Injury Law
If you are facing issues in any of these areas, a civil lawyer may be able to help. If you are being sued or plan on suing someone for any of the above reasons, you may need the help of a civil lawyer. A civil attorney can help to explain the court system and help you with your case. They will also advise you about the likelihood that you will win your case if you go to trial. They can also tell you if your case has no merit. This can save a lot of time and money down the road.
A civil attorney can do the following things to help your case:
- Interview you and other witnesses
- Prepare you for a deposition and conduct depositions
- Correspond with the other party’s lawyers
- File motions and briefs in court
- Hire expert witnesses to help with your case
- Negotiate a settlement
- Present your case before a jury and/or judge
These are all important facets of a civil case that should be handled by a civil attorney. If you try to represent yourself, you may not get the results you hope for because you are not skilled in this area of law. It’s best to do your homework to see which attorney can best represent you and your specific case.
You can contact The Law Offices of Bell & White for assistance with your civil law cases. One of our experts can advise you about the best course of action for your case.
What Does it Mean to be a Criminal Lawyer?
A criminal lawyer represents people who have been accused of a crime. Crimes can range from misdemeanors to felonies. Depending on the crime, the accused may face a minor punishment of community service to more serious punishment such as prison time or even death. The U.S. Constitution says that any citizens charged with a crime will be provided representation.
Although you can choose to represent yourself against criminal charges, it’s not recommended. Many people who have poor legal representation, including choosing to represent themselves, may face stricter or longer punishments than they would face if they chose to seek legal representation. It is important to have someone knowledgeable about the law represent you and argue your case. Your future can be on the line.
If you are charged and are being held in prison pending your hearing or court date, your criminal lawyer can also persuade the court to reduce your bail so that you can go home. Some lawyers can waive bail altogether depending on the charge you’re facing.
To avoid trial, your criminal lawyer can try to convince the court to drop the charges against you. They may argue that there was an improper procedure or insufficient evidence to charge you. Some criminal lawyers can argue that there was no probable cause for an arrest which can lead to the charges being dropped.
What Does a Criminal Lawyer Do in Court?
If the charges are not dropped and you are going to court, your criminal lawyer can help in several ways. If you know you are will be found guilty, your lawyer may advise you to enter a plea bargain. This is a negotiated agreement to reduce charges to a lesser crime with less severe punishment. Your lawyer can work on the deal so that it is something that is in your favor.
For those who go to trial, a criminal lawyer will analyze your case and identify its strengths and weaknesses. This will allow them to come up with a defense strategy. From there, your lawyer will also be a part of jury selection for your case as well as questioning witness and developing opening and closing statements. These are all things that can either make or break your case. This is why you want an experienced criminal lawyer on your side.
What Types of Crimes Can a Criminal Lawyer Represent?
When looking for a criminal lawyer, it’s important to know what specific types of cases are represented. At the Law Offices of Bell & White, the following types of cases are represented:
- Juvenile & Adults, Federal and State Level Cases
- DWI, DUI cases
- Drug Possession
- Theft
- Assaults (including family violence)
- Criminal Mischief
- Illegal Entry & Reentry (Federal Level Cases)
- Motion to Revoke Probation
- Racing and Reckless Driving
- Child Protective Services
If you are facing any of these types of charges, call The Law Offices of Bell & White to seek representation.
Seeking the Help of a Criminal Lawyer in Texas
When you need the help of a criminal lawyer in Texas, let The Law Offices of Bell & White help. We can offer assistance in a variety of different charges that you may be facing. We can also advise you as to when a plea bargain may be in your best interest.