When you’re charged with a crime, there’s nothing more important than having a good lawyer. While it is hard to find specific state-wide stats on total arrest figures, Minnesota had more than 13,000 DWI arrests alone in 2018. That is a staggering figure, and it speaks to just how prolific district attorneys are at charging and prosecuting crimes. With this in mind, you may be wondering how to build a strong criminal defense. A good Woodbury criminal defense lawyer can tell you that there are many factors. Here are five steps that will help.

1. Crafting a narrative of the case

While the burden of proof always falls on the state to prove that you committed a crime, an excellent criminal defense will require a narrative. Jurors like to know that there is another side to the story that bears consideration. Competent criminal defense lawyers can come up with a compelling story that allows jurors to adhere to something other than just returning a not guilty based upon the state failing to meet its burden.

2. Working hard to collect evidence

It’s not just prosecutors who collect evidence for their cases. A dependable Woodbury criminal defense lawyer will tell you that many cases are won on the defense side by getting all of the relevant discovery. Having a solid investigator on the case can help, too. When you’re choosing a lawyer, you should choose one who will put in the time in the early going to interview witnesses, visit the crime scene and get all of the relevant documents, no matter what it takes.

3. Knowing the law

Often, cases are won or lost because lawyers either know or fail to know the law. The criminal code is subtle, and the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt every single element of the law. Understanding the subtle nature of some statutes can allow a good defense lawyer to base a defense on a specific component rather than trying to fight the whole case. For instance, the lawyer might argue that even though a robbery suspect took a person’s purse, he did not use force to do so.

4. Coming up with points of leverage and points of light

Many defense lawyers can win cases before they ever go to trial. The goal for them is to get it dismissed. They can do so by making sure the state knows that the defense has good leverage. On top of that, the best defense lawyers show the state that their client is a real human being who deserves to have the case go away.

5. The ability to fight

A good criminal defense will always involve the ability to fight. Lawyers have to know how to successfully advocate for clients at every level of the pre-trial and trial process. Those with experience are often the most effective. If you are looking for a lawyer who will fight, calling JS Defense is the first step. Justin Schiks can help guide you during a difficult time.

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