What do criminal defence lawyers do?

From minor traffic offences to first degree murder, a criminal defence lawyer provide advice and representation to those accused of any form of criminal offence.

If you are facing accusations of crime or having been formally charged, hiring a criminal defence lawyer is essential to having the best chance of acquittal or reducing the severity of the sentence received.

Aamer Anwar & Co is Scotland’s highest profile criminal law firm, with a proven track record of successfully defending our clients against a huge variety of different criminal charges.

Many people are unaware of the services offered by a criminal defence lawyer, so well have used our years of experience and expertise to put together this guide to the role, and what you can expect when you hire our expert team.

If you are wondering exactly what a criminal defence lawyer does, or what type of lawyer is best suited to your needs, this article is for you, explaining exactly what services your lawyer will provide from the initial advisory meeting through to court case representation and appeal.

What will happen on your first meeting with a criminal defence lawyer?

During your initial consultation, you will get to know your defence lawyer and make the crucial decision as to whether or not to have them represent you throughout the case.

This decision is critical as you will have to decide whether you are going to work well together for what may be a significant period of time.

During the meeting, the criminal defence lawyer will ask you some background questions about you as a person, as well as some more specific to the case.

It is vital that you are completely honest with your criminal defence lawyer as leaving out information may lead them to creating an entire defence strategy, only to be blindsided at the last moment should the prosecution have access to details they are unaware of.

It may be worth bringing documents related to the case, or other evidence along to the meeting to give your lawyer as much information as possible to get started.

The earlier you hire a lawyer the better your chances, so the importance of these first meetings should not be underestimated.

If you are nervous or worried about forgetting something, it may be worth writing down some questions or details that you want to mention beforehand.

What does a criminal defence lawyer do in court?

Whether or not a criminal case ends up in court is dependent on a number of factors.

In many cases, a criminal defence lawyer Glasgow will be able to ensure that you never have to face judge or jury, securing an acquittal by discrediting crucial evidence that the prosecution is basing their case around or, with your approval, negotiating a plea agreement.

Should court be unavoidable, however, or should your lawyer advise that a full trial is the best chance you have of a successful outcome, a criminal defence lawyer will represent you in the court themselves.

During a trial, your criminal defence lawyer will do all they can to have you acquitted, questioning witnesses, challenging the prosecution, and presenting your case to the judge and/or jury.

Some of the most common methods used by criminal defence lawyers in court include providing contrasting evidence or witness testimony or proving beyond doubt that their client is not guilty, or that their guilt cannot be sufficiently proven.

As well as speaking on your behalf, a lawyer’s main responsibilities include advising you on the best way forward, explaining exactly what is happening, and helping you understand the legal process.

If acquittal is impossible, or a client pleads guilty, a lawyer will work to secure a reduced sentence, by presenting mitigating factors, by stressing your remorse, or by highlighting the potential of rehabilitation.

Finding the correct criminal defence lawyer

Given the importance of their responsibilities, it is essential that you find the most suitable criminal defence lawyer possible.

All lawyers will have their own specific knowledge and expertise, alongside a more general understanding of criminal law.

One of the best ways to get an understanding of whether a lawyer is suitable for your needs or not is to ask a few simple questions during the initial consultation.

These could include asking how they intend to approach your case or to give examples of similar cases they have been successful with in the past.

If a lawyer is unable to answer these questions confidentially and in satisfactory detail, it may be worth moving on to another law firm.

Why Choose Aamer Anwar?

At Aamer Anwar & Co, our criminal defence lawyers are experts in national and international crime and regulatory law, with a market leading reputation of taking on both major and minor criminal cases.

For legal representation, or to arrange a consultation with a criminal defence lawyer, contact us today by phone on 0141 429 7090, or by email at office@aameranwar.com.