SELECTING THE RIGHT LAWYER

A criminal investigation by a federal, state or local law enforcement agency will be an experience unlike any other you have ever faced. Unfortunately, some individuals in law enforcement are over-zealous and even self-righteous. On occasion, police officers and prosecutors are capable of losing track of notions of fair play and objectivity in their drive to seek convictions. Often, law enforcement officers jump to conclusions before reasonable alternatives have been properly investigated, and the "investigation" then becomes a search only for evidence which may support their opinion you are guilty. In many cases, evidence inconsistent with the client?s guilt is ignored, abandoned, or glossed over.

The experienced criminal defense attorney thinks in terms of attacking the prosecution?s case, focusing on what the other side is required to prove so that this 'proof' can be rebutted, countered and picked apart, piece by piece. The prosecution must prove its case against the client "beyond a reasonable doubt," a standard of proof much higher than that in civil cases.

The job of the criminal defense attorney includes thorough legal research and factual investigation. In some cases, the attack on the state?s case will include the preparation of pretrial motions to suppress statements or evidence. Often evidence is scientifically unreliable or illegally seized from one?s person, office, home, vehicle, or computer. The lawyer?s experience and knowledge of the complex and ever changing rules and case law relating to criminal law, procedure, and evidence are the tools used to seize upon the subtle factual nuances of the particular case which will permit the construction of a winning defense.

Although we prepare each case from the beginning as if a jury trial is inevitable, in many cases, a case is won through successful plea negotiations. Following a thorough factual investigation, we are often able to convince the prosecution that the weaknesses in its case justifies a compromise on either the nature of the offense charged or its punishment. That is, identifying problems with the State?s case creates bargaining power. The prosecutor must also understand the defense attorney knows how to try a case, and, in fact, is very competent in trial. If the prosecutor wants to avoid the time and expense of a jury trial, and the risk of losing the case, a favorable plea agreement with a substantial up-side to the defendant will have to be offered.

The criminal courtroom is almost always a very intimidating environment. When you have been targeted by the State of Connecticut or by the United States Government, you need a criminal defense lawyer who can protect you from the processes at work in the criminal justice arena. Retaining an experienced and skilled criminal defense attorney is the only way to ensure that your individual and constitutional rights will be protected in the unfamiliar world of judges, prosecutors, indictments, search warrants, proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and the Bill of Rights.

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