If you are facing a criminal charge, having trusted legal counsel on your side from the outset is key to securing the most favorable outcome. While having the charge dropped is ideal, it is not always possible.
Most criminal cases settle out of court, but sometimes, going to trial is the better route. A settlement typically involves pleading guilty—often to a lesser charge with lighter penalties. Your experienced Killeen criminal defense attorney will guide you in making the right decisions and will be prepared to advocate fiercely for you in court if needed.
What Makes a Good Trial Attorney?
The most important trait in a trial attorney is commitment to your case. A lawyer who lacks time or interest won't serve your best interests, regardless of their experience.
A strong trial attorney will check all of the following boxes:
Genuinely invested in your case
Has adequate time to commit
Possesses extensive trial experience
Collaborates with you, instead of just working for you
The best trial lawyers are authentic and persuasive in their own styles. Jurors are drawn to sincerity. If you connect with your attorney, the jury likely will too.
Choosing the right defense lawyer can make a meaningful difference.
Preparation Is Everything
Thorough preparation is the cornerstone of a successful trial. Even straightforward cases require careful planning.
Your attorney will be fully prepared with all of the following plans:
A strong defense strategy
Jury selection questions (voir dire)
Opening statements, examinations, and closing arguments
Preparation enables your lawyer to stay focused on real-time developments during trial while completing all of the necessary elements of your legal representation:
Presenting a compelling defense
Responding to prosecution arguments and witness testimony
Making timely objections
Preserving your right to appeal
There are no shortcuts. Preparation lays the foundation for everything that follows. The sooner your attorney can begin preparing, the better. Call our team today for a FREE consultation.
The Importance of a Strategic Defense
A solid defense goes beyond denying allegations. It involves building a persuasive story supported by evidence.
Your attorney will introduce a theory of your innocence in opening statements and reinforce it throughout your trial. This storytelling approach makes the evidence more accessible and memorable for the jury.
An effective defense strategy transforms disconnected facts into a compelling narrative that supports your innocence and builds trust with the jury.
Flexibility in the Courtroom
While preparation is key, flexibility is essential once your trial begins. Every case and jury is unique, and your attorney must adjust to unexpected testimony or shifting dynamics.
A skilled lawyer listens to everything going on in the courtroom, adapts his or her approach as needed, and seizes unexpected opportunities that may arise.
Being adaptable in court is just as important as being prepared. If you are looking for a defense attorney who is both well-prepared and adaptable, speak with one of our Killeen criminal defense attorneys today.
Direct Examination: Telling Your Story
The goal of direct examination is to let the witness tell their part of the story.
An effective direct examination includes the following elements:
Asking simple, clear questions
Guiding witnesses with topic-focused prompts
Humanizing the witness
Keeping attention on the witness, not the lawyer
Helping the jury visualize the testimony
Avoiding questions that can lead to objections from the prosecution
Addressing weaknesses proactively
Direct examination is about clarity, credibility, and connection.
Affirmative Cross-Examination
Cross-examination can enhance your defense through persuasive questioning. Jurors often pay close attention to cross-exams, making this a critical part of your trial.
Refining the Witness’s Testimony
Your attorney will keep these goals in mind during cross-examinations:
Expose inconsistencies or weaknesses in testimony
Question the witness’s memory, knowledge, or credibility
Seek helpful admissions
Encourage jurors to evaluate the witness's trustworthiness
Set up key points for the closing argument
Introducing New Information
Cross-examination may also reveal new facts. Your lawyer might react to new information with any of these actions:
Exploring eyewitness or expert testimony further
Highlighting any bias or gaps
Supporting your defense narrative
Sorting Truth from Fiction
Testimony is often a mix of fact and fiction. A skilled cross-examination brings clarity by showing where exaggerations or omissions exist and restoring perspective.
Maintaining Control
Aggressive questioning can backfire by making the jury sympathetic to the witness. A better strategy is maintaining control, asking clear questions, and drawing attention to evasive responses.
The goal is to clarify the truth—not to attack—so that the jury can reach a favorable, fact-based verdict.
The way cross-examinations are handled can make or break your case. Make sure your defense attorney has the courtroom skills to deliver. Contact us today.
Your Right to a Speedy Trial
Both federal and Texas law guarantee the right to a speedy trial, though what qualifies as "speedy" isn’t clearly defined.
Delays are common due to court backlogs and case complexity. However, if the delay is unjustified, your attorney can seek dismissal.
Delays are evaluated based on these criteria:
Whether the defendant caused the delay
Whether the state acted in bad faith
Whether the delay was due to neutral factors like court congestion
If your right to a speedy trial is violated, it could be grounds for case dismissal.
Work with a Criminal Defense Attorney in Killeen
Brett Pritchard at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard is a highly experienced Killeen criminal defense attorney with a strong record of achieving favorable results both in court and at the negotiating table.
Call us at (254) 781-4222 or contact us online to schedule your FREE consultation today.