Criminal Defense Lawyer Atlanta

Finding yourself facing criminal charges can be rather upsetting, whether you are innocent or at fault. Everyone is worthy of a reasonable shot at protecting themselves, and it is their fundamental right to do so. Some people might recommend that you combat your own case – however, browsing through the legal system by yourself can be incredibly difficult and complex, which is why it is always preferable to work with an experienced Atlanta criminal defense attorney on these legal cases. 

Criminal Defense Attorneys in Atlanta GA

There is no reason one must face this difficult time alone. The trials, documentation, pleadings and comparable legal treatments only inflate the stress and anxiety you may be experiencing. Having somebody experienced with the law at hand can be very practical. Continue reading to learn more about how a criminal  lawyer can help you from the dedicated attorneys at Conoscienti & Ledbetter.

A defense attorney satisfies a wide range of crucial functions throughout the course of a criminal case. Most importantly, he or she is accountable for defending an individual charged with a crime and speaks on their behalf to secure the best possible outcome. The duties of an attorney in this area of law include interviewing with the client about the case, investigating the case, analyzing the evidence, keeping the client informed about the case, jury selection, plea bargaining, trial participation, and negotiating a lighter sentence.

Defense Attorney Duties

When a defense attorney first meets with a client, he or she will try to learn as much about the case as possible. This involves thorough questioning of the client to determine possible defenses. In addition to speaking with the defendant, experienced trial lawyers will further investigate the case, which may include questioning law enforcement about which procedures were used in the case and speaking with witnesses who may have knowledge about the case. The attorney may also interview an expert witness about his or her potential testimony.

Included in the rights of an attorney is the ability to review the prosecution’s case prior to its submission to the jury, which allows the lawyer to discover holes that can be used against his or her client. With this knowledge, the attorney can prepare an appropriate defense strategy, which includes examining any evidence both presented to them and/or acquired through independent investigation.

Throughout the progression of the case, criminal defense attorneys will keep consistent contact with the defendant to explain any developments and to keep him or her rightfully informed. 

Once cases go to trial, skillful trial lawyers will assist with the process of jury selection. This involves assessing each juror and determining any possible biases against the defendant and requesting their removal if deemed necessary. The attorney is also responsible for speaking with the prosecutor about the case’s status, and negotiating a plea bargain with him or her, which may assist in securing a deal that favors the defendant by reducing his or her potential punishment.

Above all, however, a criminal defense lawyer’s core duty is to fight for his or her client throughout the trial. This includes examining witnesses, cross-examining the state’s witnesses, and trying to persuade the jury that the burden of proof has not been met by the prosecution. 

While the primary goal of experienced criminal defense attorneys is to prevent their clients from being sentenced for a crime, this is not always possible. If the defendant has been sentenced for the crime, defense attorneys will remain by their side, representing them throughout the case’s sentencing phase with their best interests in mind. At this stage, a skilled trial lawyer like those at Conoscienti & Ledbetter law firm will fight to limit the amount of time that his or her client spends behind bars and discuss incarceration alternatives with their freedom and their future in mind. Our attorneys are professional and experienced and can not be intimidated by prosecutors and threatened with jury trials. We are very passionate about defending people’s rights. That is why we won’t let our clients be bullied into an unfair resolution.

Experienced criminal defense lawyers in Atlanta regularly deal with a range of criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, drug charges, white-collar crime, and numerous other state and federal offenses. When looking for the right criminal defense counselor for your case, you’ll have the most success focusing on the attorney’s proficiency, skills, knowledge of the law, and dedicated practice areas that are related to your case.

Due to the nature of what’s at stake, it’s crucial that the attorney you work with has the required ability level required to defend the case, and is the one who actually carries out most of the work. You might require somebody familiar with crime scene investigations, interviewing sources, and/or comprehensive understanding of evidence such as polygraphs, sketches, pictures, and videos.

Additionally, since criminal laws and the penalties for crimes are different in each state, it’s vital to hire an attorney that has experience with the state and local laws and rules of the court in which they are defending you.

If you are in need of legal representation and guidance, you need to look for a law firm whose attorneys have extensive experience that will give them special insight into the inner workings of the state’s criminal justice system. Our legal team is capable of representing clients and handling different kinds of felony and misdemeanor cases. Joseph A. Conoscienti and J. Blake Ledbetter, the attorneys at Conoscienti & Ledbetter, have been proudly serving Atlanta since 1981, meaning that they possess immeasurable knowledge and experience in the laws and legal procedures of both the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia.