In the criminal justice system, there are two types of criminal defense attorneys, public defenders, and privately retained criminal defense attorneys. Public defenders are appointed to represent you and are paid by the government. Unfortunately, you do not get to pick your public defender. Alternatively, you can research the best criminal defense attorney for your case and hire them. Your criminal defense attorney will meet with you and gather all the necessary facts about your case by asking questions and reviewing the evidence.
Your criminal defense attorney will investigate the case in a comprehensive manner in order to determine if there is a chance of an acquittal, or, in the alternative, how to build a strong defense on your behalf in order to mitigate your penalties as much as possible. Criminal defense attorneys have the right to review all the prosecutor’s evidence and find their own evidence before a case is taken to a jury trial. This allows your attorney to determine whether there are defenses or holes in the case against you and how best to defend your case.
If no plea deal can be negotiated prior to the trial, then your case will go to trial where a jury will be selected. During the trial, your criminal defense attorney will fight for you every step of the way by examining witnesses, cross-examining the state’s witnesses, and working to present your case of innocent and convince the jury that the prosecutor is wrong and has not met the burden of proof. If you are convicted of the crime, your attorney will fight for a lesser sentence and file an appeal when applicable. You would never want to try and handle criminal charges on your own, as your future is at stake.
Criminal Defense Facts and Statistics
According to the Idaho Statewide Crime Profile, there were 4,334 total violent crimes reported in 2021. This translates into one murder in the state every 9.4 days, one aggravated assault every 2.9 hours, one kidnapping every 1.6 days, one burglary every 2.9 hours, one sexual assault every 5.8 hours, and one rape every 12 hours. Aggravated assault is, by far, the most common violent crime committed in Idaho, making up 70.88 percent of all violent crimes in the state. Rape is the second-most common violent crime in the state, making up 16.80 percent of all violent crimes in the state.
If you are in need of a criminal defense attorney in the Idaho Falls area, consider contacting Cutler Law Office, P.A., today.
