A lot of people who have been charged with their first criminal offense think that their case is all going to play out in court just a like a television drama. While there’s a chance that your case will end up going to trail, most of the work needed to protect your rights and your interests is going to be put in on the front end of your case.

How to build your criminal defense early

Building a solid criminal defense takes time, effort, and a lot of preparation. So, as you prepare to navigate the criminal defense process ahead of you, you’ll want to make sure you’re devoting a fair amount of time to the following:

• Witness preparation: You’re going to need witnesses to testify on your behalf. But before going into court, you’ll need to have a firm understanding of what those witnesses will testify to and where they’re vulnerable. That’s why you’ll want to meet with them to go over their testimony. You’ll also want to consider deposing the prosecution’s witnesses and finding the best way to attack their reliability.
• Police errors: A single mistake made by the police can derail the prosecution’s case. Therefore, you’ll want to scrutinize every action taken by investigators to see if you can find a way to suppress the evidence intended to be used against you.
• Case law research: Case law precedent can give you legal arguments to stand on when it comes to a whole host of issues, including the use of character evidence. Be sure to research what you can use to support your legal arguments.

Don’t let fear and procrastination get the best of you

To put forth the best criminal defense possible, you must be proactive. If you wait too long to build your case, then you put yourself at unnecessary risk. Don’t put yourself in jeopardy. Instead, act now to do what you can to protect yourself and your future.