Lamar County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Lamar County Criminal Defense Attorney

A criminal defense case is an opportunity for those who have been accused of committing a crime to have a fair trial and share their own point of view. This is a right given to all citizens of the United States, in addition to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. To advance these cases, a defense lawyer can supervise every activity to ensure no one violates their client’s rights. If you have been accused of a crime, consider seeking help from a Lamar County criminal defense lawyer today.

At Miller North & Brill, we have spent years helping defendants reduce or dismiss charges against them. We understand how stressful it can feel to be accused of a crime, which is why we proudly step in to alleviate the majority of legal burdens. When you choose the team at Miller North & Brill, you are choosing more than just representatives. You are choosing dedicated advocates for your rights.

What Are the Most Common Defense Positions to Use in Trial?

Defense attorneys in Lamar County are required to develop their own defense strategies and tactics based on their assessment of each case. There are many different positions that have helped previous defendants reduce or dismiss the charges they faced.

Some of the most popular defenses include:

Innocence: If a defendant holds the position that they did not commit any crime, a defense attorney can advance a claim of innocence. This will require the attorney to evaluate what evidence the prosecution has gathered to demonstrate the defendant is guilty and compile their own set of evidence to poke holes in their arguments and refute their major claims. Having an alibi that can attest that the defendant was not at the scene of the crime can be one of the most powerful pieces of evidence to use when taking the position of innocence.

Self-defense: A defendant may suggest that their actions were a valid attempt to prevent themself from experiencing harm. To make this case clear to the court, it will need to be obvious that the individual faced genuine threats. If this is true, the court will then look to determine if the act of self-defense was proportionate to the level of harm they were under.

Duress or Coercion: Sometimes, a defendant holds the position that they were forced to commit a crime against their own will. This is typically in response to another party threatening to harm them or someone else involved if they ignore their commands. A defense attorney will need a collection of evidence to prove that this threat existed and that the defendant was not presented with any alternative methods to remove themself from the situation.

Entrapment: It is against the law for any law enforcement officer to use entrapment tactics to try and arrest an individual they believe would commit a crime. However, this rule is sometimes ignored by law enforcement officers who set up a scene and persuade an individual to commit a crime. Anyone who feels this happened to them can collaborate with a defense lawyer to advance an entrapment defense against the prosecution.

Insanity: If an individual does not believe they were in the right state of mind when engaging in an act that has been accused of a crime, they may wish to take an insanity defense. This is often used in cases where an individual has a mental health disorder that has been left untreated, or they were unable to recognize the behavior they were engaging in was wrong. A defense attorney will need to use medical records, such as a therapist’s diagnosis, to prove the validity of an insanity defense.

Mistake of Fact: A misinterpretation of specific details can lead an individual to commit a crime they never had an intention to partake in. This differs from an individual claiming they were unaware a certain law exists. For example, an individual may have been unaware of what type of substance they were in possession of. A defendant will need a lot of compelling evidence, like a prescription for medical marijuana or a text from a friend lying about the substance, to take this defense in court.

What Attributes Make a Good Defense Attorney in Lamar County, GA?

Legal Knowledge and Experience

The longer an attorney has been in the field, the more lessons they have learned from their track record of cases served. This experience gives them a better understanding of different legal precedents that exist and effective strategies to defend their clients in similar situations to ones where they have already had success. This knowledge and experience allow them to set expectations with their clients throughout the whole process and be armed to handle the unexpected.

Analytical Skills

Before an attorney even agrees to take on a client, there is a lot of information that needs to be processed to catch them up to speed on what happened. This requires deep analytical skills to help piece together specific details that can serve as the foundation of an effective defense strategy. Having such sharp attention to detail allows a defense attorney to find the strongest pieces of evidence and arguments that can potentially sway the outcome of a case in their client’s favor.

Communication Skills

It’s no secret that an attorney needs to be a strong communicator. The profession demands discussions to constantly be happening either between clients or in the courtroom. An attorney needs to be able to speak on behalf of their client and communicate their points as clearly as possible for the judge and jury to comprehend. They also need to be strong listeners, as this can help them pick up on vulnerable spots in a prosecution’s case that they can leverage to their client’s advantage.

Negotiation Skills

In many cases, an attorney will need to be able to negotiate on behalf of their client to try and reach some form of middle ground. This could be in an attempt to reduce a sentence or award the prosecution with a guilty verdict for something that adds value to their client. The quality of an attorney’s negotiation skills can have a strong influence on their ability to help their clients receive the outcome they are looking for.

Empathy and Understanding

Defense attorneys are not therapists, but a good attorney will display a deep sense of empathy and understanding toward their client. It’s inevitable that clients will be stressed and frightened throughout the process of defending their rights as they hope for as positive of an outcome as possible.

A strong defense attorney will stay focused on the mission while helping to build a trustworthy relationship with their client to make them feel comfortable that their case is in good hands throughout the entire process.

FAQs About Lamar County, GA Criminal Defense Laws

What Two General Categories Do Criminal Defense Attorneys Fall Into?

There are two broad categories these attorneys fall into: public defenders and private defense lawyers. Public defenders are court-appointed attorneys paid by the state to ensure that everyone has access to legal representation, even if they don’t have the means to afford one. On the other hand, private lawyers are employed directly by the defendant and pay for their services out of pocket.

While both lawyers are paid from different sources, they both share the same goal of providing a well-researched and compelling defense for their clients.

What Are The Three Basic Types Of Criminal Laws Today?

The three basic types of criminal laws today are infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. An infraction is the least severe form of crime, such as being fined for jaywalking. A misdemeanor is a little more serious and could result in hefty fines or a year’s sentence in prison for committing a crime like petty theft or simple assault.

Felonies are awarded to the most severe type of crimes that are often violent in nature. This can result in anywhere from a 5-year to life sentence in prison for committing murder, rape, or even armed robbery.

Who Has the Burden of Proof in a Criminal Case in Lamar County? What Is That Burden?

The burden of proof will always rest with the prosecution in criminal defense cases. This means it is their responsibility to prove well beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime as charged. If there is any cause to believe that the proof does not lead everyone to believe the individual committed the crime “beyond a reasonable doubt,” the charges could be declined as a precaution to prevent a possibly innocent individual from being convicted.

A defense attorney’s role in this process is to challenge all evidence by the prosecution to raise this doubt in the judge and jury.

Contact Miller North & Brill Today

If you are facing a criminal charge and are not sure where to go for support, contact the attorneys at Miller North & Brill today. We have spent years understanding how the criminal justice system operates and which strategies work to defend our clients. We would be honored to learn more about your situation and how we can help reduce or dismiss the criminal charges you face.