In the frantic moments that follow the arrest of either you or a loved one, do not panic. Bruckheim & Patel is here to help.
What Is a Defense Attorney?
A defense lawyer provides legal representation to a defendant in a lawsuit or criminal prosecution. Typically, the defendant directly hires a criminal attorney. The criminal defendant will be represented by this attorney throughout the entire legal process.
Jail time, large fines, and a felony conviction are serious criminal penalties that can be intimidating to anyone. For these reasons, it is crucial to understand how a criminal defense attorney can help you get a fair trial and prevent collateral consequences.
What Is the Role of a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
1. Investigating the Alleged Criminal Charge Against You
The initial steps in which a criminal lawyer can help is to review official government reports, examine physical evidence, visit the crime scene, and interview witnesses if necessary.
It may go without saying, but all criminal defense attorneys possess a Juris Doctorate, which means they are well-versed and highly experienced in all aspects of criminal law and court proceedings.
While the police officer’s goal is to obtain evidence that may be used against you, our job as defense attorneys serves a different purpose. Our main objective is to investigate the collected evidence to find inconsistencies, discrepancies, and loopholes that may otherwise be used to incriminate you.
2. Scrutinize Officer Conduct
As experienced attorneys, it is our job to analyze whether your constitutional rights were violated at the time of your arrest and/or in the gathering of key evidence against you. If it is determined that law enforcement violated your legal rights, your defense attorney can file what is known as a motion (a formal, written request) to suppress.
If the judge grants the motion, this means any key evidence collected during the time of your arrest cannot be used in criminal trials and/or in any circumstance that would otherwise be used against you.
3. Develop a Theory of Legal Defense
Did you act in self-defense? Do you have an alibi? Are the felony charges against you based on unreliable expert witnesses or false accusations? These are all questions your attorney will address when forming an effective defense strategy.
At Bruckheim & Patel, we do not judge your current situation or condemn your actions. Instead, we ensure your constitutional rights are upheld from start to finish. Based on extensive experience and affluent knowledge in the criminal field, it is also our responsibility to provide you with the best legal counsel possible.
Our counsel varies due to the circumstances of the criminal offense and your criminal history.
4. Provide Legal Advice
When going head-to-head with the criminal justice system, a plea agreement for a lesser charge or dismissal of the charges may be the best option. As criminal defense attorneys, we are trained to evaluate and negotiate the best deal for our clients.
Some defendants may be adamant about their innocence and choose to opt out of a plea deal. However, what they may not know are the several legal procedures in which their case can be handled without a guilty plea while limiting their risk of a criminal conviction at a jury trial. Unfortunately, defendants who choose to represent themselves may not be trained or have any knowledge of these concepts.
This is why we are here. At the end of the day, the decision ultimately comes down to you. It is our job to guide you in legal matters and represent you to the best of our professional ability.
5. Psychological and Emotional Support
We may not be trained psychologists, but as criminal defense attorneys and the team we have here at Bruckheim & Patel, we naturally provide some level of emotional support to clients and their families.
Criminal case proceedings come with overwhelming emotions for defendants. Some can sometimes experience feelings of uncertainty, increased levels of anxiety, and/or lowered self-esteem.
A lot remains unknown during this time; however, as your defense attorney, we will always stand in your corner. At Bruckheim & Patel, you will not only receive the highest degree of professional representation but also an unwavering measure of support and human dignity at every step of the criminal process.
What Makes Bruckheim & Patel Different?
These are a handful of the ways Bruckheim & Patel can assist you in putting together an aggressive defense. Some common defense arguments we may advise include:
- False accusations
- Mistaken identity
- Lack of sufficient evidence
- Evidence of an alibi
- Entrapment
- Suppression of key evidence
We handle criminal cases in the District of Columbia and the State of Maryland, including violent crimes, sex crimes, and drug charges.
For an effective defense or if you have any questions or would like to discuss your current situation, contact Bruckheim & Patel at (202)-930-3464.
