If you’ve been accused of a crime, you’ll want to be sure that you have a skilled attorney representing you. Your job as a defendant extends beyond just hiring a lawyer—you’ll also need to help with your own defense. Below are three ways you can help your attorney to prepare a more effective defense at your trial.
Clear Your Schedule
As strange as it may seem, one of the best things you’ll be able to do as a defendant is to make sure that you’re always available. Be ready to show up for court, not just on the right day and time, but early so that you can consult with your criminal defense attorney. Being on-time and present will always start you off on the right foot with the judge and jury.
Get Off Social Media
Your next step is to reduce your profile. The last thing you want to do is to give the prosecution more to work with, so get off social media. Don’t talk about the alleged crime with anyone online or off, and make sure that your only real communication about the topic is with your attorney. If you can avoid further incriminating yourself, you’ll be ready to mount a strong defense.
Gather Relevant Information
Finally, make sure to do your part in gathering relevant information. If you know that there’s something that will be useful for your case, don’t wait around for someone else to gather that evidence. Let your attorney know about available information or evidence and ask for his or her advice to figure out how it can be properly obtained. If you can bring new evidence to light, your defense will likely be more successful.
Listen to Your Attorney
In addition to the tips above, it’s important to listen to your attorney. Not only does your attorney understand the law, but he or she understands how your local courts work. If your attorney is skilled at his or her job, he or she will have unique advice that will help you to build a more successful defense and give you a better chance to get your life back on track.
Even building a great defense is no guarantee of being found innocent. A good defense is, however, your best chance to go back to your regular life. Always work to be an active part of your own defense and work with your attorney to ensure that you get a fair chance if and when you go to trial.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
