Defenses You Could Use When Facing Criminal Charges
No matter what type of criminal charge you face, there are a variety of defenses you could use to fight the case. To determine which is the best option for you, it is important to discuss your case with a criminal defense attorney. The lawyer will listen to your case and give you a recommendation as to what the best option would be for you. Here are some of the defenses you could consider using when facing criminal charges.
Innocent because there is reasonable doubt
One of the defense strategies your lawyer might suggest is using the defense that you are innocent, simply because the burden is on the state to prove you are not. If the evidence available is enough to place doubt in the jurors' minds, then you might be able to win your case with this defense. Having a solid alibi is a great source of evidence if you choose to use this defense strategy, as your alibi will be able to put reasonable doubt in the minds of those who are hearing your case.
Self-defense strategy
There are also situations when people use the self-defense strategy, but this defense is limited to certain types of criminal charges, such as battery or murder. If you are facing a charge that involves hurting another person, this is a potential defense to consider, but it is not always the best option. It really depends on the situation and what evidence is available.
Insanity defense
Pleading that you did not know what you were doing when the crime happened is basically saying that you committed the offense, but that you were not in a mental state of mind where you should be held accountable for it. This is a defense that involves pleading insanity, and while this defense may get you off the hook for the crime, you may need to follow through with seeking help for your mental disabilities afterwards.
Entrapment defense
One other option you could use, if applicable, is something called the entrapment defense. This is not a commonly used defense, yet it is still used from time to time. To use this defense, you will need to prove that law enforcement convinced you to commit the crime. This is never an easy defense to use or prove, and you should keep that in mind as you determine what defense you will use in your case.
There are a lot of ways to fight criminal charges that are not listed here, but you should not choose a defense strategy until you talk to a criminal lawyer about your case.