Thomas C. Grajek | March 27, 2025 | Lakeland Criminal Law
A criminal defense attorney serves as a counselor and advocate for somebody accused of a crime. The defense attorney can be appointed by the court to represent a defendant or hired and paid by the defendant. While there can be differences in how private attorneys and court-appointed lawyers are paid, all criminal defense attorneys have the same goal: to represent their clients the best that they can and protect the client’s civil liberties.
When You Would Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been charged with any crime in Lakeland, FL, you have the right to a lawyer. The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives criminal defendants the right to an attorney. If you can’t afford an attorney, a lawyer will be appointed for you. Your income has to fall below certain limits to have a court-appointed attorney. Whether you don’t qualify financially or simply prefer to choose your own attorney, you can retain a Florida criminal defense attorney to work on your case.
You also have a right to decline a lawyer and represent yourself. This is rarely recommended, however. Criminal cases are complex and involve numerous procedural and legal details. Experienced criminal lawyers know how to handle the system and give their clients the best chance of success.
What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do When the Case Starts?
Your lawyer will meet with you to get a good understanding of the case and the facts involved. A skilled criminal defense attorney will work hard to get to the truth of your case. This will involve collecting and reviewing all police reports, analyzing physical and digital evidence, and interviewing witnesses in your case. Evidence in a criminal case can include physical evidence, photos, video recordings, medical documents, and other key pieces to the puzzle in your case.
Pretrial Motions and Plea Bargain Negotiations in a Criminal Case
As part of a criminal defense lawyer’s job, they will file any pretrial motions needed in your case and discuss potential plea bargain options with the prosecution. Many criminal cases will be resolved through a plea before going to trial. A lawyer’s job is to put their client in the best possible position for a favorable plea agreement in many cases.
Pretrial motions in criminal cases can relate to:
- Changing bond amounts
- Modifying bond conditions
- Excluding evidence if it was obtained in violation of your rights
- Excluding certain witnesses from the trial if necessary
- Changing venue (where the trial will be held to make sure it is a fair trial)
- Dismissing the case entirely
A motion is handled through the judge in your case, and rulings are based on the motions, evidence involved, and arguments made by lawyers. Smart criminal defense attorneys know what motions to file and when to gain an advantage for their clients.
During the case, a criminal defense lawyer will discuss the case and possible plea agreement options with the prosecutor. A defense attorney will seek to negotiate a favorable deal that might either lower the charges against you, reduce your punishment, or both. It takes some experience as a defense lawyer to succeed in plea negotiations.
Jury Trials in a Florida Criminal Case
If your case is not dismissed or resolved through a plea agreement, a trial is the next step. Florida defendants have a constitutional right to a jury trial in criminal cases. In Florida, a jury will consist of twelve people in all capital cases and six jurors in all other criminal cases punishable by at least six months of incarceration. If your case goes to trial, it helps to have a proven criminal defense lawyer who has won difficult cases in front of juries before. A lawyer will help to fully prepare their client for a trial, whether they intend to testify in the trial or not.
Contact a Lakeland Criminal Defense Attorney for a Free Consultation
Whether you find yourself under criminal investigation or were charged with a crime in Lakeland, Florida, an experienced Lakeland criminal defense lawyer can help guide you through the legal process and fight for a fair outcome in your case.
Contact a Lakeland Crime Defense Lawyer at Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law Today For Help
For more information, please contact the Lakeland crime defense attorneys at Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law, for a consultation. We serve all areas in Lakeland, Polk County, and throughout Florida.
Visit our convenient location:
Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law
112 E Poinsettia St
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 688-4606