When faced with criminal charges in Melbourne, the very first thing that you should do is to contact a criminal lawyer to talk on your behalf in all matters, since anything you say can and will be used against you in court. You will get two kinds of criminal defence lawyers in Melbourne: Public defenders and private criminal defence lawyers. Your type of lawyer’s selection can have a huge impact on your case and it is important to understand the differences that exist between them. This article will clearly outline the differences between these two lawyers and some of the legal tactics that criminal defence lawyers use in courts.
Public defenders vs. private Criminal Defence Lawyers
Public defenders are lawyers who are appointed by the state for individuals who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. The main factor that can hinder an individual’s ability to appoint a lawyer is the inability to afford the cost. Understand that we come from different backgrounds and classes, so no one can afford to hire a lawyer to defend them in criminal matters. Because of this, the government usually appoints public defenders to protect the interests of an individual with criminal charges to ensure that each one gets their legal representation even if they cannot afford it. They are experienced in criminal law and can handle a wide range of cases relating to criminal offences. These lawyers usually have large caseloads which are automatically assigned by the government. This makes it hard for them to dedicate their time and effort to one client and may not be as effective as a private criminal defence lawyer.
On the other hand, private criminal defence lawyers are hired by individuals to represent them in court when faced with criminal charges. Individuals who hire private lawyers usually can afford the cost and hire someone they trust can do the job better. As a result, the individual will cater for all the costs of the private lawyer and other legal matters that are required in the court. The ability of an individual to hire a private lawyer gives them a chance to select the one they deem fit for the job. A private lawyer usually has fewer cases at a time and can dedicate their time and efforts to ensure that they gather the necessary evidence to prove their innocence.
The main difference between these two types of lawyers is one can dedicate their time and resources to help you win the case, while the other has many clients to represent and have limited time to dedicate their efforts to a single case. Hence, the type of lawyer that is representing your interests matters in Melbourne, and may just be the determining factor for your case.
Legal tactics used by criminal defence lawyers in Melbourne
Challenging the presented evidence
The first attempt a criminal defence lawyer makes is to mount a challenge to the evidence presented by the prosecutor to try and discredit its reliability. If they succeed in proving this, then you may be on your way to getting your freedom.
Negotiating plea bargains
If the evidence is too strong, then a lawyer advises their clients to plead guilty on the matter so that the lawyer can persuade the court to reduce the penalty or sentence. The court may be lenient enough to greatly reduce the defendant’s charge based on the lawyer’s persuasion.
The top criminal defence lawyers in Melbourne can help you to defend yourself.
