Criminal Cases: Taking Help of Criminal Attorney

Voluntary Surrender
Often a police officer instead of arresting a person on the charge of committing crime issues a DAT (Desk Appearance Ticket) requiring the booked person’s appearance in court at a fixed date. The person in this situation should appear at the court accompanied with his criminal attorney. A person may also be asked by the police officer to surrender voluntarily which is often a better option than arrest. Although voluntary surrender does not necessarily mean charge for a crime, it is always advisable to have the assistance of a criminal attorney and answer the questions posed by the police in line with his advices.

Statement to Police
Presence of a defense criminal attorney and acting as per his advices are very necessary while making statements to the police. Otherwise there always will remain the possibility of an unguarded statement made innocently that will be used by the police as confession of commitment of a crime by the person making the statement. Making a statement to the police without the professional guidance of a criminal attorney can adversely impact the fate of the case. Admitting to being a party at the scene of the crime even without actual involvement in the crime itself may be interpreted by the police as confession and land one in prosecution and conviction.

Arrest
After a person is arrested on charge of a crime and jailed, he has to be produced before a judge in the criminal court usually within 36 hours of arrest. A criminal defense attorney helps in this situation by expediting the process by negotiating with the police or the prosecutor. The arrested person is kept at the criminal court after he leaves the prison and before appearing before the judge. This is the time to take counsel from the defense attorney and be guided while making statements to the judge at the trial in the criminal court.