Many of our readers have often heard us advise people who are facing criminal charges to get in contact with a defense attorney as soon as possible after being charged so there is adequate time to work on a defense strategy. That advice might have brought up some questions that need to be answered.
Should I just tell the truth?
Yes, it is important to tell the truth; however, the method in which you tell the truth is important in criminal defense cases. In some cases, the way the truth is presented might be able to gain sympathy from a judge or jury. That isn't to say that the defense presentation can be untruthful. Instead, it has to be completely factual and accurate. The way your side of the story is told can have a huge impact on the outcome of a case, so it is vital for you to work with your attorney to determine the best defense strategy.
How do we determine a defense strategy?
A good defense starts with telling your attorney exactly what happened. When you do this, you would either confess, explain or deny. If you confess, you need to tell your attorney exactly what happened. If you explain, you need to tell your attorney why you acted the way you did during the crime. If you deny, you should have an alibi to offer for where you were when the crime occurred. When you and your attorney put all of the elements together and check the evidence against you, it is possible to decide how your defense will be handled.
Source: FindLaw, "Criminal Defense Strategies," accessed April. 16, 2015