4 Common Mistakes Criminal Defendants Make During Their Case

Criminal law can be complicated, and it’s easy to make mistakes during your defence when you don’t know what you’re doing. However, there are some common mistakes that many criminal defendants make over and over again that can seriously hurt their case. This article from Sydney defence lawyers discusses four common mistakes criminal defendants make in their cases, which should be avoided at all costs.

Mistake #1: Waiting to Hire an Attorney

One of the most common mistakes a defendant can make is waiting to hire an attorney. Hiring Sydney defence lawyers as soon as possible helps you build a defence strategy and determine what, if any, plea deals are available. It will also give you time to gather evidence and witnesses before the case goes to trial, which can be difficult. The sooner you get an attorney on your side, the better chance you have at winning your case.

Mistake #2: Ignoring the Charges

Ignoring the charges against you is a common mistake. If you get charged and don't show up for your trial, it will be assumed that you are guilty. It's also important to remember that if someone else is on trial for the same crime, you could be found guilty of that crime too. So, it's imperative that when you're given notice of a court date, you make every effort to attend. Even if you've been given more than one notice with different dates and times, do not miss any court dates. Else, you will be issued an arrest warrant or other charges.

Mistake #3: Resisting Arrest

Resisting arrest is a serious offence, and if you have been charged with this crime, it’s imperative that you contact an attorney as soon as possible. You might not be aware of the potential consequences but resisting arrest will only make things worse for you. If convicted, you will have to live with the impact for years to come. So if you or someone you know has been charged with resisting arrest, don't hesitate to contact experienced criminal lawyers in Sydney as soon as possible.

Mistake #4: Hiring the Wrong Lawyer

It can be difficult to know who you should hire for your criminal case, especially if you have never been involved with the criminal justice system before. Hiring the wrong lawyer can mean that you are left uninformed and without a proper defence. You deserve to have access to a defence attorney who will work diligently on your behalf and get the best possible outcome. So do your research before hiring one.

As the old saying goes, it’s better to be judged by twelve than carried by six. This means that even if you feel sure you’re innocent and can prove it, you still may not be able to beat your criminal charges without legal representation from an experienced attorney. Hiring the right criminal defence lawyer can immensely help your case and avoid the mistakes mentioned above. Refer to the Sydney criminal lawyers blog today for more insights on criminal law.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Criminal Lawyers

If you’re facing charges of any kind, it’s important to have the best possible legal representation working for you. Getting charged with a crime will change your life in many ways, including impacting your chances of getting into college or landing your dream job. Having one of the best Sydney defence lawyers on your side can make all the difference when it comes to the outcome of your case and your future. Here are five things you may not know about criminal lawyers, but should.

The Criminal Lawyers Fight Forensic Evidence.

If you are ever unfortunate enough to be charged with a crime, one of the first things you should do is finding a good criminal lawyer who fight forensic evidence. Forensic evidence is any type of physical evidence that can be used to prove that a person committed a crime.

Criminal Defence Attorneys Cannot Tell Anyone if Their Client Confessed

A criminal defence attorney is bound by the attorney-client privilege, which is a law that protects communications between a client and their lawyer. This means that if a client tells their lawyer something in confidence, the lawyer cannot repeat it to anyone else. Even if the client confesses to the crime, the lawyer still cannot tell anyone.

They Will Pay Attention to Public Opinion

The criminal lawyers Sydney have a lot of discretion when it comes to how they handle their cases. They always consider how the public will react to their client. They need to be able to defend them in the court of public opinion as well as in the courtroom. This means that they have to be very careful about what they say and do.

They Research The Jury

When you are on trial for a crime, your fate is in the hands of the jury. Your criminal lawyer will do everything in their power to ensure that the jury is on your side. This includes researching their backgrounds and understanding how they think.

The Good The Criminal Lawyers Often Like “Can’t Win” Cases

It is often said that the best criminal lawyers are the ones who take on the cases that they know they can’t win. This is because these lawyers understand that every case is different and that there is always a chance for a positive outcome, no matter how small.

Conclusion

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, it's important to understand the role of a criminal lawyer. So, consider reading the Sydney criminal lawyers blog, and a make an informative decision.

Factors to Consider When Looking For a Criminal Law Firm

If you’re accused of committing a crime, you’ll need to hire an attorney who specialises in criminal law. Even if you think you didn’t do anything wrong, it pays to have your interests represented by an expert in this field just in case there are any loopholes or technicalities that the prosecution might use against you in court. Fortunately, there are many criminal law firms Sydney out there who can help you get through this trying time. Here are a few factors to consider when looking for the right one for your case.

Confidence

The right criminal law firm should have confidence in its experience and expertise as it relates to helping clients with their criminal defence. Make sure that you’re meeting with a criminal solicitors Sydney who represents clients charged with similar crimes. If they don’t specialise in your particular area of crime, look elsewhere. Confidence shows that they know what they’re doing, so you can feel confident about how your case will be handled if you choose them.

Communication

Is their communication timely, detailed and informative? Do they provide you with all of your options, regardless of whether you choose them or not? Are they easy to reach by phone or email? How does it feel when you have a question? Does it feel like no one cares about your situation as much as they should? Do you get an answer within 48 hours? Is there any reason to think that would change if you hired them?

Reputation of the Law Firm

While it might be true that you can’t judge a book by its cover, criminal law is one area where you should take more than just a quick glance at someone’s resume. A good rule of thumb: don’t hire a lawyer with a track record of losing cases. Even if they get your case thrown out, do you really want them in court arguing your side? With so many prominent law firms around today, choosing wisely is crucial as is checking references and looking into past cases.

Reviews on Google

Reading online reviews is an excellent way to screen and choose the right criminal lawyers Sydney. Do they have multiple dissatisfied clients? If so, it’s probably best to look elsewhere. One important thing to keep in mind when reading these reviews, however, is that one unhappy client could easily create multiple accounts on Yelp or Google.

Experience/ Litigation history

Hiring a firm with an established record of success can help provide you with piece of mind knowing that your case is in good hands. Always ask about their litigation history and success rate. An experienced law firm will have a track record of handling cases similar to yours, so you’ll know what to expect during every step of your case. 

Asking how many years they’ve been practicing law may not be enough, since some lawyers are new but have handled hundreds of cases over their career, while others are new to practicing law but have no experience whatsoever.

Consider these factors when looking for a criminal law firm in Sydney. Make sure to choose a lawyer who works on client’s interest.

What Should You Do If You're Accused of a Crime?

Whether it's true or not, being accused of committing a crime can be very scary and overwhelming. You could face prison time or hefty fines if you’re convicted, so it’s important to know what to do if you’re ever charged with committing a crime and how to stay out of trouble in the future. Our criminal solicitors Sydney have compiled a list of things you need to do if you are accused of criminal charges. 

Notify Your Attorney 

The first thing you need to do is approach one of the best criminal law firms in Sydney and let them know that you have been accused of criminal charges. Criminal lawyers can offer advice and help you take further action. A good lawyer can help you understand your case and provide valuable guidance. 

Remain Silent and Find out What’s Happening 

It’s every citizen’s right to remain silent. Never speak to a police officer or any officer when you are interrogated. Please be aware that anything you say can be used against you in court, even if it's something an officer asked during questioning. As soon as you are aware that you are accused of a crime, find out what's happening and what your options are. Speak to Criminal lawyers Sydney in private without letting law enforcement know you have done so. A lawyer will be able to advise if you should remain silent or speak with law enforcement officials. 

Stay Calm and Don't Run

It's easy to panic when you've been charged with a crime, but running away or attempting to flee will only make matters worse. There is no need to run and hide because your innocence will protect you from being found guilty. Stay calm, don't run and get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible. The biggest mistake you can make is calling someone who hasn't studied criminal law for a living - even if they have a lot of experience in another field.

Acknowledge That There Will Be Consequences

It’s important to understand that you will face consequences for your actions, including a criminal record, which can affect future job prospects and college applications; loss of income; legal fees and court costs; a damaged reputation in your community; and additional personal and emotional challenges. Once you’ve accepted responsibility for your actions, it’s time to move forward with putting together a plan of action along with your lawyer. 

Stay Positive

Stay positive, and stay in control as much as possible. Try not to lose hope, even if it seems like things are bleak right now—they can always get better!

If you’ve been accused of criminal charges, it’s important to remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. The criminal justice system has checks and balances to ensure that no one gets convicted unjustly, but if you don’t take certain actions, you could end up receiving harsher penalties than your case deserves.