What are the roles of defense attorneys in a criminal trial?
441880
The primary role is protecting the defendant's constitutional interests by scrutinizing the prosecutor's case and forcing the prosecutor to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, every element the law says must be proven in order that a defendant may be found guilty of a particular criminal offense.
790507
Its not your job to defend yourself.  Thats for the attorney calling you as a witness.  Answer the question you are asked, keep it sort, but add nothing more.  Assuming you are a witness for the defense, the plaintiff's attorney or prosecutor will try to entice you into answering more than the question, so they can get testimony admitted they could not get otherwise, or impeach yourself.  It is up to the defense attorney to object if the questions are not proper, go afield, or are harrasing.  If you cannot recall your prior testimony, just say you don't remember.  Your attorney can have your prior testimony shown to you to help your recall.  Have fun.
674738
usually plea bargains takes place between a D and the defense attorney n the judge's role is different, so i am pretty sure its a no!!
645048
Depends on what kind of case.If its criminal you are entitled by law to a public defender, provided you can demonstrate hardship, and inability to pay an attorney yourself.If its a civil action you are not entitled to a public defender.Public Defenders are not pro bono they are employed by the county through the district attorneys office.\nYou need to look up Legal Aid in your phone book, by county and call them , they are the ones who will provide a pro bono attorney , if they so choose,or direct you to other agency's or firms that list legal aid attorneys, as most counties have a mandate for a certain amount of pro bono work,from these types of groups, and it is a stipulation of their grants, since they are generally non-profit and therefore subsidized by government grant dollars.Hope this helps and answers your questions.
1144713
There is no yes/no answer to your question.\n\nOnly your friend's attorney is in a position to give you specific advice.\n\nAnything that causes the prosecution to produce evidence would seemingly help the defendant. But, only if the evidence exonerates him.
849227
First, hire a criminal defense attorney. You can find one at Martindale.com if you don't have one in mind already. Then, you should consult with a civil trial attorney. The criminal defense attorney may have a good recommendation for the other attorney. If not, try martindale again. If the criminal attorney recommends him/herself, I would look for another attorney. It is very rare that an attorney is good in both areas of the law.\n\nWhatever you do, don't go for the "Pre-paid Legal" option. Their attorneys may be adequate, but the best attorneys don't need to affilliate with those "low cost" services to attract clients. Some big name firms may allow their low level associates to take those cases, but you won't get their top attorneys.
130679
Attorneys are, first and foremost, Officers of the Court.  If they are aware of evidence of a criminal offense, or receive evidence of such an offense, they are legally and ethically bound to turn that over to the court(s).
838101
A judge has the neutral role of deciding questions of law in a particular case.\n\nA lawyer takes his/her client's side and advocates his/her position in a particular case.\n\nThink of the judge as the referee and the lawyers as opposing teams.
963326
The district attorney may be able to take up the case.
913306
A barrister is a lawyer who defends (or prosecutes) people in court. They usually are a member of a "chambers" (a kind of partnership of other barristers and are employed by their clients to work on particular cases for them.\nProsecuting barristers working on criminal cases are likely to be employed by a state of government agency (in the UK it is the Crown prosecution service)
275513
ok that's a little better. well, criminal court is a state court, as opposed to city court, county court or federal court, and as you know, they try criminal cases. the process usually goes like this: someone commits an offense or is accused of one, and they are brought before the court to answer to the charges, or stand responsible. he is given a chance at a preliminary hearing, to tell his side of the story ( which is called his defense.) after the police tell their side, too, the judge hears a recommendation from the prosecuting attorney on whether there is enough evidence to hold the offender over for trial. if yes, the defendant is granted a bail amount in most cases, and he may pay a bondsman to bail him out until the time of the trial. at the trial, there is the guilt phase, and then the punishment phase. during the guilt phase, the defendant and his/her attorney answer to the charges, and do their best to keep the offender's actions seen in a good light so that the jury will believe he's innocent. after the trial, the punishment phase dtermines to what degree the offender will be punished. either probation, community service,or prison.how else can I help?
270575
Judges typically are there to ensure that all rules of the court are followed – most importantly, the Rules of Evidence.  Judges can rule on whether certain evidences are admissible (to be presented to the jury), as well as ruling on any motions either side would make.  Judges would also answer any questions from the jurors when they are deliberating.  If a defendant chooses to have a “bench” trial, the judge also serves as the jury (fact finder) as well.  The judge would also give sentences to convicted defendants according to the rules.
852991
A prosecutor is a public servant paid for with tax dollars to prosecute crimes.  That is prosecute people who commit crimes and seek appropriate penalties on behalf of the community.  Fines /jail, sometimes restitution.  A prosecutor does not represent any specific victim, but is, instead, protecting the interests of the entire community.  A prosecutor must prove his case by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.\n\nA plaintiff's attorney is paid to seek justice in the civil courts and is hired by the victim, and either paid by the victim in advance, or perhaps on a contingency fee arrangement if he/she is successful in winning the case.  A plaintiff's attorney must prove his case by a preponderance of the evidence, in other words he must prove that his client's version of the events is the more likely version based on the evidence presented.\n\nBoth have obligations to investigate their cases.  However, the prosecutor's obligation is to the public at large and is held accountable in elections.  The plaintiff's lawyer is an employee and is accountable to the victim / client until such time as that relationship is ended.\n\nThe same goes for the question of potential accomplice liability.  The prosecutor looks at whether to investigate / prosecute in the context of a criminal case and his duty is to the general public, not to the victim.\n\nThe plaintiff's attorney owes his allegiance to his client and they can discuss the merits of examining / investigating potential civil liability of other parties for the injuries suffered by his client.
978412
The prosecutor is arguing on behalf of the state, attempting to prove the elements of the crime charged.\n\nThe defense attorney is arguing on behalf of the defendant, and attempting to either create reasonable doubt, or prove an affirmative defense that would either reduce the charges or provide a justification resulting in acquittal.\n\nThe dynamics are best explained by how the system is described -- it is an adversarial process, where the truth is (hopefully) discovered through zealous advocacy by two opposing attorneys. \n\nContrary to popular sentiment, neither attorney can lie, and doing so is grounds for permanent disbarment. But both sides attempt to tell the best story they can, using both their sales skills and creative uses of the rules of procedure and evidence. \n\nSo, it is kind of a like a debate crossed with a chess-game. The judge determines who wins during each part of the chess-game (the legal procedural battle), which ends up determing who is allowed to say what during the debate. And the jury determines who wins the debate, by who tells the more convincing story.
125652
The purpose of the trial judge is to see that the law is fllowed by the parties to the case, and to move the proceedings forward to a verdict.\n\nThe jury, in a jury trial, is responsible for determining guilt or innocence, by judging the facts of the case.
862301
The defense team tries to prove why the defendant is not guilty of the crime the offender is acused of....
1075565
It depends on the individual defense attorney.  Just like in any sort of profession, some are bad, others mediocre, and yet others put the energy and time to do a good and effective job for their client, the defendant.\n\nGood luck!\n\nYou can always get a second opinion on your case, by at least getting an appointment with a private criminal defense attorney (pay the consultation fee or many offer free consultations) to see if that person thinks they can get you a better deal than what is being offered.  \n\nOf course, be careful there too, because there are unscrupulous private defense attorneys, who can really do not better, than the court-appointed defense attorney, who nonetheless will be more than happy to charge you several thousands of dollars for the same quality of representation that you would have received from the court-appointed defense attorney.