Schaffer Carter Kennedy & Mays
Law

Unparalleled Federal And State Criminal Defense

Criminal law is a difficult and extremely specialized area of law that is governed by federal and state statutes. Criminal cases are different from civil cases in that the government brings criminal charges for actions or omissions that constitute a crime.

 

The prosecution’s burden is to prove beyond a reasonable doubt before any punishment can be meted out, all of the proof elements required by statute for conviction. The defense has the responsibility of raising any objections which are based on the law and evidence adduced at trial. The primary goal of criminal defense is to neutralize any merit in the prosecution’s case.

 

When you retain the services of an attorney to represent you in a criminal case, it is important that your defense is orchestrated by someone who understands the intricacies of criminal trials. These cases are often prosecuted by seasoned prosecutors and have detailed rules and procedures that are governed by federal or state statutes.

 

The trial judge will not be familiar with the intricacies of handling a criminal case and may not be able to spot errors made by opposing counsel. You need an experienced defense attorney who can spot any possible issues which may arise during the course of a trial.

 

Criminal law encompasses both state and federal offenses, such as drug possession, white-collar crimes, homicide, sex crimes, theft, and violent crimes, such as assault and battery. criminal defense attorneys are also responsible for educating their clients regarding the legal system, and this is accomplished by explaining the rules of evidence to the jury.

 

A criminal defense attorney will explain how these rules apply to the case at hand. In order for an attorney to be effective, she must know how each rule will affect the outcome of a trial, as well as what is required of each party at different stages in the trial. For example, explaining to jurors that they may not ask any questions or show any emotion during trial proceedings until all of their questions are answered is a key element in ensuring they understand that they must remain composed while questioning witnesses and listening to closing arguments from opposing counsel.

 

A criminal trial exposes lawyers and clients to the risks of cross-examination. A lawyer’s credibility is often at stake during a trial, and this is why defense attorneys must be thoroughly prepared when they go into trial.

 

It is imperative that you have the support of an attorney who knows how to present your case before a jury. An attorney who is not familiar with the rules of evidence may commit legal errors by failing to mention something which should have been made known in court.

 

Each state in the United States has its own laws regarding criminal cases, and Washington, DC, has its own federal laws governing drug trafficking, sexual assaults, racketeering, and white-collar crimes, including embezzlement, obstruction of justice, bribery, and tax fraud.