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Criminal Defense Lawyers
Who need defense lawyer?
Anytime a person
is named as a defendant
in a lawsuit, civil or criminal, they will need the services of a
defense lawyer during the life of the case. While it is possible for
people to represent themselves, often this choice is unwise due to lack
of knowledge and expertise regarding the law and court proceedings.
There are two types of defense lawyers: public and private. A public
defense lawyer, appointed by a court, represents defendants who do not
have the financial means to pay for a private defense lawyer, and does
not charge any fees to the defendant. Private defense lawyers,
personally selected by defendants, can charge fees ranging from
reasonable to exorbitant, dependant upon the complexity and notoriety of
a case.
When charged with the commitment of a crime, a person needs the
representation of a defense attorney, in most instances. For offenses
such as DUI, theft, property damage and violent crimes such as assault,
rape or murder, a defense attorney is best able to prepare and present
the defendant's case in court.
While minor traffic violations such as speeding or improper passing do
not generally require legal representation, serious offenses such as
reckless operation or at fault accidents may require the experience of a
defense lawyer, especially when a defendant wishes to fight the charges.
In the civil realm, defense attorneys represent defendants in civil
suits for matters such as personal injury, home foreclosure, libel,
slander, and other offenses that do not fall under the criminal
umbrella. Criminal defendants sometimes face civil suits based upon that
particular criminal offense.
Defendants acquitted of criminal charges can face civil complaints when
plaintiffs seek financial restitution. While prison sentences are not
handed down in civil court, the degree of proof needed to obtain a
positive judgment for the prosecution goes from beyond a reasonable
doubt to a 51% likelihood or preponderance that the defendant is
responsible for the charges brought against them.
Defense lawyers make it possible to obtain a higher level of justice for
anyone named as a defendant. They have the ability to deal with the
complex requirements of the judicial system, and the knowledge to seek
out all possible avenues leading toward a positive result for the
defendants they represent.
When defendants choose to represent themselves, they will often miss key
elements and fail to perform mandatory procedures, thus lessening their
chances for acquittal. While general opinion of defense lawyers may be
unfavorable, their services are crucial in order to maintain fair
balance within the court system.
Legal Tip
How to Prepare for a Georgia Deposition
Your deposition in a court case may be the first time you've ever been
asked to give legal testimony under oath. Because the questions may be
very personal and your answers may be important to your case, and
because you'll be testifying in a room with your Atlanta lawyer and
one or more opposing lawyers, a deposition can be intimidating. If
you're giving a deposition in a Georgia civil case, it helps to know
ahead of time what to expectation.
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