If you have been charged with a crime and are facing trial, you may feel out of your depth, and this is perfectly normal. Because the consequences of a conviction are so serious, it is an excellent idea to know how best to prepare for your trial – and to move forward with an experienced Coryell County criminal attorney on your side.
Most Cases Settle before They Go to Trial
The truth of the matter is that most criminal charges are settled (or even dropped) before the case makes it to trial, but this does not alter the fact that you should be prepared for whatever comes your way. When a case settles, it usually amounts to the criminal attorney affecting a plea bargain with the prosecutor, which typically means pleading guilty to a lesser crime in exchange for less harsh penalties. Many defendants prefer plea deals for all of the following reasons:
It is less expensive than going to trial.
The outcome is certain – rather than the extreme unpredictability of going to trial.
The matter is resolved more quickly.
No two criminal cases are exactly alike, and your dedicated criminal attorney will help you carefully weigh your options when deciding whether a plea bargain is the right choice for you. However, it is important to note that a plea deal is still a conviction – with all that this entails.
The Criminal Trial
A criminal trial is a formal legal proceeding that focuses on the presentation of facts involved in the case to the jury (if it is a jury trial) or to the presiding judge (if it is a bench trial). The jury or judge – as the case may be – considers the facts presented and makes the important determination of whether the accused is guilty or not guilty of the crime with which he or she is charged.
Your Trial Prep
Preparation for your trial will largely focus on fact-finding, which typically amounts to the foundation of your defense. During the course of this fact-finding mission, your criminal attorney may focus on a variety of tools.
In-Depth Interviews With You
Your criminal attorney will conduct thorough interviews with you that explore any criminal history you may have, the alleged crime’s timeline and your whereabouts within that timeline, your mental state at the time of the alleged crime, any relationship you have with your accuser, any role you may have played in the alleged crime, and much more.
Discovery
Discovery is the phase in the trial prep in which you will receive all of the evidence that the prosecution has against you.
Independent Investigation
Your criminal attorney is very likely not to stop with discovery and to launch his or her own evidence-finding mission in order to help craft your strongest defense.
Do Not Wait to Consult With an Experienced Coryell County Criminal Attorney
Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Coryell County, Texas, is a trusted criminal attorney who takes great pride in helping clients like you obtain optimal case outcomes. We are here for you, too, so please do not hesitate to contact or call at 254-501-4040 for more information today.