When facing criminal charges, it is of critical
importance to hire a Chicago criminal lawyer to help assist you in putting
together a solid defense for your court case. Many individuals who are first
time offenders try to go it alone and represent themselves, but this is not a
wise decision. If you are looking into retaining or hiring a Chicago criminal
lawyer but are not sure exactly what they do, here is a brief guide about their
duties and responsibilities.
The greatest duty and responsibility of a Chicago
criminal lawyer is to make sure that each and every client receives a fair
trial, regardless of whether they are guilty or not. Everyone who is a United
States citizen is guaranteed the right of a fair trial by the Constitution. The
role of the criminal attorney in Chicago is to make sure that your rights are
protected. Many of these lawyers work with a staff of investigators and legal
assistants who are dedicated to making sure that any evidence presented against
you was obtained through legal means. If any evidence presented in the case was
obtained illegally, a criminal attorney in Chicago can help dismiss the
evidence and possibly the case as a means of protecting your Constitutional
rights.
Another duty and responsibility of a criminal attorney in Chicago is to negotiate for a deal or plea bargain on your behalf. Attempting
to cut a deal without the counsel and aid of a lawyer is extremely unwise, as
you could end up hurting your case all in an attempt to save money on hiring an
attorney. An experienced attorney who has been practicing the law for years
will have plenty of experience in negotiating the type of deals that will best
benefit you and your situation.
Your attorney is also responsible for laying out all of
the options that are available for you and can help you choose the one best
suited for your particular case. The attorney will create a defense case or
plan for you that might help you avoid a conviction and avoid spending any
serious time in a county or federal prison.