Criminal law is one of the most sensitive branches of law. Basically, criminal law is applied to any case in which a crime was committed. Cases pertaining to robberies, burglaries and physical assault are all classified under criminal law. If a case is contested in a civil court, both parties know what the outcome is likely to be. For the aggrieved party, the judge can grant damages. This means that the party at fault will only have to pay financial damages. However, under criminal law, the party at fault may even be sentenced to jail.
Hiring a criminal lawyer is important when fighting a case in a criminal court. In the UK, the law is very detailed. The punishment ranges anywhere between jail time or community service for a few months and a sentence for life. Depending upon the severity of the crime committed, the punishment may vary. Because of the sensitive nature of criminal cases, you need a powerful criminal lawyer by your side. The lawyer will not only represent you in court, but will also fight for you. Your lawyer will defend you by studying the case files and try to get you a better deal (if need be). However, you need to be careful when hiring a criminal lawyer. Here are a few things that you should know:
Representation
Seek representation from a famous firm. In Glasgow, there are many firms that specialize in criminal law. For instance, http://www.criminal-lawyers-glasgow.co.uk/ offers a fantastic practice that will help you win your case. They have a lot of experience in dealing with different types of clients and have years of experience under their belts. The firm will first hold detailed discussions with you about the case before taking it on.
Be Truthful
Make sure you are completely truthful with your lawyer. Given the fact that you are fighting a criminal case, lying to your lawyer will only make matters more difficult. In case the lie is caught, your punishment can be made more severe by the jury. Remember, you will be protected under attorney and client privilege. Thus, everything you say will remain between your lawyer and yourself. Speak freely.
Check Their Work History
Before you hire any attorney, read about the cases that they have worked on in the past. Many law firms and attorneys simply increase the number of services that they offer in order to make more money. However, this is your life at stake. You want to be sure that the lawyer you hire has experience in dealing with criminal cases in the past.
Do you want to solve your case without taking it to trial? Many criminal law cases can be resolved with an out of court settlement. This only means that both parties save on their litigation fees and pay for a settlement. If that’s what you want, you shouldn’t consider hiring a criminal lawyer. Instead, look for a lawyer that has strong negotiating powers. They will help you reach a settlement quickly.