The assumption in criminal law is that all individuals are innocent until proven guilty. Anyone who has paid close attention to this area of the law knows that this is not always true. For this reason, criminal attorneys are needed to review more information through their own investigations to find evidence that proves innocence and prevents the innocent from being punished for actions that they didn’t do. If you want to become a criminal attorney, you should review your options within your chosen Law School in Orange County today.
Reasonable Doubt and Probable Cause
Two concepts used most often in criminal proceedings are reasonable doubt and probable cause. In the beginning of a criminal investigation, the officers must have probable cause to arrest a suspect. This implies that they have evidence that links the individual with the crime itself. If they do not possess clear probable cause, they are unable to acquire an arrest warrant, unless they witness the crime personally.
In defending a criminal case, an attorney must present reasonable doubt that the accused was either incapable of committing the crime by mental defect or that they were not on the scene of the crime. For example, if the accused is mentally handicapped, the attorney could present evidence that he or she is innocent due to an inability to recognize right from wrong. They could furthermore present reasonable doubt if the individual couldn’t commit the crime due to mental capacity.
Identifying Proper Procedures
As a criminal attorney, you learn how to identify discrepancies in the prosecutor’s case. For instance, if the arresting officers failed to follow proper procedures during the arrest or acquisition of evidence, you could have the case dismissed. In these instances, the accused cannot be prosecuted unless new evidence is introduced.
A career as a criminal attorney allows you to help those accused of crimes in which they didn’t commit. You’ll discover ways to defend these individuals in ways that they cannot do themselves. This could include becoming a champion for the mentally ill who face difficulties and are unaware of their actions. If you would like to begin a career now, you should Visit the website for your preferred Law School in Orange County today.
