Even a well-intentioned prosecutor may file charges against an innocent person. Regardless of why charges came about, an innocent defendant wants to know what they and criminal attorneys in Vermont can do to avoid conviction. Below is information on how innocent people handle criminal charges.
Filing Decisions are Based on Limited Info
When cases come across a prosecutor’s desk, the only available information is often the police report, which is limited in the scope of information conveyed. The police report may misrepresent facts, or it may be blatantly wrong. If charges are specious, the defendant can go to trial in hopes of an acquittal. However, it’s better and safer for a defense attorney to get these cases thrown out before they get to that point.
Intervening Before the Charges are Filed
Pretrial communications are one of the biggest reasons that it’s important to hire an attorney as soon as possible. If the case’s facts are suitable, a lawyer may be able to intervene before charges are filed. The intervention may involve speaking to the arresting officer or prosecutor. In minor cases, criminal attorneys in Vermont may be able to explain the event in a way that keeps the case out of court. However, this course of action only works in limited circumstances.
Requesting a Dismissal
In many cases, an innocent defendant will have to wait for charges to be filed before getting an attorney involved. However, this does not mean the case will necessarily go to trial. A client should give his or her attorney a full overview of the relevant facts so options can be weighed. Depending on the case’s circumstances, an attorney may decide not to get too involved with the prosecutor for fear of divulging too much information before a trial.
Get an Attorney
Criminal defendants need attorneys for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is pretrial preparation. Only a lawyer can handle the tasks discussed here, and his or her judgment is essential during a criminal case. The lawyer is the one to decide how to approach the case, even if it means waiting to go to trial. Visit website to set up a consultation with an experienced criminal attorney.
