There’s never a good time to be a defendant in a criminal defense case. If you find yourself in such a situation, though, it’s important to do more than simply despair about your situation. Keeping a few things in mind during your case will not only help you to make it through, but they might actually have a positive impact on how your case turns out.
The Seriousness of the Process
It’s always a good idea to start by acknowledging that there is no time when being a defendant in a criminal proceeding is a good thing. This is not something that’s simply going to go away, nor is there anything about the process that you should find amusing. It’s vital that you take your role very seriously and that you treat the proceedings with the respect that they deserve, as the way you act could have a huge impact on your future.
How Does the Court See You?
On a related note, you must always be aware of how the court sees you. When you meet with anyone involved in your case, make sure that you look like a professional. This not only shows that you respect the court enough to take it seriously, but it makes it harder for others to see you as a criminal. As unfair as it may be, appearances do matter in criminal court.
Who Is Representing You?
Who is your criminal defense lawyer? Who hired him or her? What are you expecting from this lawyer? You need to think about who is representing you and why so that you are able to work with this person going forward. If you don’t pay attention to your lawyer, there’s a good chance that you won’t know if you’re getting the kind of representation that you deserve.
What’s Required of You
Finally, think about what’s required of you during this process. Are there meetings with your lawyer that you need to attend? Are there court dates that you need to memorize? Always make sure that you know where you need to be, when you need to be there, and what’s going to be expected of you when you show up. Those defendants who follow the rules and work within the system generally have a better chance of a favorable outcome.
You do still have an important role to play as a defendant. How you portray yourself, how seriously you take the process, and who you work with always matter. If you can keep those basic factors in mind, you’ll give yourself a much better chance for success.