Criminal Defense Attorney

Getting arrested for anything, ever, is a singularly scary experience. It barely even makes a difference whether you actually did the thig or not – when those irons are slapped on your wrists, you are going to either panic or shut down.

In such a situation, having a good solicitor whom you can trust and rely on is of critical importance. You want to be sure that they can handle your case properly, and wrap it up with the minimal amount of trouble for you in the long run. But can you handle your solicitor in turn?

Believe it or not, even expert lawyers have some strange professional secrets. We talked to a criminal defense lawyer in Nashville to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the business. Check it out!

They do not really stand up that often

This is one of those go-to television series tropes that we see everywhere and rarely stop to question. The truth is, though, that the vast majority of defense attorneys do not so nearly as much prancing around in front of a jury. Most of the judges do not allow that kind of swaggering in circles and gesticulating, let alone slamming tables or thumping on a rail. They will mostly stay behind the counsel’s table while questioning witnesses, and will remain sitting down.

They might actually give you a makeover

As much as you are, in theory, guaranteed the freedom to wear your band tees, or dreadlocks, or neon peace signs, if you are facing a criminal trial, your lawyer will likely take you shopping and to a hairdresser or barber.

This may sound like trying to play illusions on the process participants, and in a way it is – you do play pretend a little – but the truth still is that people are partial to judging your appearance as a manifestation of your character. If they think your look is distasteful or disrespectful to the legal institutions, you will be facing an uphill fight. Check out this article for some insight into the effect that a first impression might have.

They do get real, live hate mail

This is due to “condemnation by association” – the idea that if you are supporting someone, you share the blame. The trouble is that most people tend to be really polarized about this.

If an attorney is representing a murder suspect, it does not automatically make them pro-murder, but they still get enormous contempt.

Public opinion does matter

Whether local or national, a criminal charge will likely make a headline in print or online. Now, obviously, a good lawyer will be concerned with you and your well being, not with ingratiating themselves with the media. Nonetheless, a true professional will take good note of which way the public opinion blows, and will adjust their sails accordingly.

After all, once you are in the courtroom, you will be facing a jury of your peers. In other words, it will be a battle to win the favor of a section of that every same public. They will need to be persuaded of something or dissuaded from something else, and you can bet your last dime tat every single one of them will be entering that room with some preconceived ideas – which are largely influenced by the public opinion at large.

If you confess privately, they will likely keep quiet

Sometimes, people actually feel safe enough with their lawyers that they will make a full confession in their office – maybe to ask for better advice or just to get it off of their chest. Most will then proceed to freak out about their confession becoming public knowledge – but there is no need. Your lawyer is under zero obligation to turn that information over to law enforcement officials.

A defense attorney’s job is to fight the government’s evidence against you and not let you lie while under oath on the stand. However, seeing how you typically would not testify on your own behalf to begin with, disclosing your guilt privately to your defender puts you in no greater risk of losing your case, so go on right ahead and ease your mind a bit.