How Can I Help My Lawyer Fight My Criminal Defense Case?

Facing criminal charges can be overwhelming at best and terrifying at worst. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a serious felony charge, an accusation alone can have a life-changing impact. That’s why hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer is one of the most important decisions you can make in the wake of criminal charges.

While an experienced attorney will handle most of the heavy lifting in your case, there are still a number of things you can and should do to help them secure the best possible legal outcome for you. A strong attorney-client partnership can sometimes mean the difference between a win and a loss, so it’s vital for individuals facing charges to collaborate with their legal representation throughout every step of the process. Let’s cover some of the most important things you can do to help your criminal defense lawyer fight for you to the fullest extent of Tennessee law.

What role does a lawyer play in criminal cases in Tennessee?

Every person in the United States is entitled to certain unalienable rights when accused of a crime. One of these rights is the right to have an attorney represent you in court or other legal proceedings. An experienced, trustworthy criminal lawyer can work with you to:

• Investigate your case
• Gather and verify evidence
• Advise you of your rights and legal options
• Negotiate a plea deal
• Source and appoint expert witnesses
• Challenge claims made by the opposing side
• Represent you in court

The U.S. legal system works best when all parties are firing on all cylinders. Fostering a strong, collaborative relationship with your legal counsel can help you make more informed decisions and work towards a more satisfying outcome when all is said and done.

Tips for working with your criminal lawyer

If you’re facing criminal charges and have chosen to partner with a local attorney, you’ll want to do your part to help them fight for you. Here are our must-know tips for supporting the vital work of your Nashville criminal lawyer:

Tip #1: Be honest

One of the most critical things you can do is tell your attorney the truth from the get-go. Even if you’re embarrassed or concerned about what your lawyer might think of you, honesty is always the best policy when working with your legal representation. Unlike the police, your lawyer is on your side and legally required to keep your conversations secure and confidential at all times.

Whether it’s an incriminating detail, past criminal history or otherwise questionable behavior, your criminal defense lawyer must be given the full picture of the circumstances surrounding your case in order to build a strong defense. If you fail to provide important information to your lawyer, they may struggle to cultivate a strong defense in your case and may even encounter surprises in the courtroom if the opposing side manages to dig up information you were trying to keep private. Give your attorney the facts and let them decide what’s relevant.

Tip #2: Preserve and provide all requested evidence

Strong evidence is the backbone of any successful criminal case. In the wake of criminal charges it is vital that you do not attempt to conceal or dispose of any evidence. Attempting to alter, destroy or conceal evidence in criminal proceedings is a Class C felony under Tennessee law punishable by hefty fines and up to 15 years imprisonment.

Text messages, photos, videos, paper documents and more can all have major implications for your case. Even if you think a particular piece of evidence is too small to matter, the consequences for destroying or concealing it will far outweigh the perceived benefits. If you make all information and evidence freely available to your attorney, they can help you decide what may or may not actually be relevant to your case and help you find legally-compliant ways of preserving and organizing your materials during the discovery process.

Tip #3: Follow your lawyers advice

Part of your lawyer’s job is to provide you with advice and suggestions based on their professional training and experience. Even if it’s tempting to ignore or argue with your lawyer’s advice and recommendations, it is almost always in your best interest to comply with their requests and expectations. Your lawyer is there to consider all the possible outcomes and implications of decisions made in your case.

Sometimes your lawyer will have to make major recommendations about things like accepting a plea vs. going to trial. At first blush, you might not agree with or understand your counsel’s decisions or recommendations. However, you must remember that experienced lawyers make determinations backed by years of experience and education and often have access to robust resources their clients do not. Following your lawyer’s advice is often the best thing you can do to avoid making any costly mistakes when fighting for your freedom.

Tip #4: Steer clear of social media

One of the fastest ways to hurt your criminal defense case is by posting about it online. Prosecutors and investigators often scour social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and even TikTok to find posts or other content that might contradict your statements or paint you in a negative light.

In some cases, the court may issue a gag order that directly prohibits parties in a case from discussing it publicly. If a gag order is in place in your case, it is critical that you do not violate the order – even if you think your social media post is harmless or irrelevant. Violating a gag order can have major legal consequences that will only harm your case in the long run. You should tread carefully during your legal battle by taking a social media break and refraining from making unnecessary public statements that could harm your case.

Tip #5:  Keep quiet about your case

In addition to keeping your thoughts about your case off of social media, you should also refrain from discussing your case with anyone other than your attorney. That’s because, as a reminder, only conversations with your lawyer are considered legally protected. That means anything you say to others could be subpoenaed and used against you in a court of law.

If law enforcement is investigating your case, they may even record your jail calls or other seemingly private conversations. Err on the side of caution and always assume that any conversation you have outside of your lawyer’s office could find its way to the eager ears of the prosecution in your case. If someone asks about your case, it’s always okay to respond with, “I’ve been advised not to talk about it,” and leave it at that.

Tip #6: Show up

Perhaps it should go without saying, but it bears repeating: You must show up for all appointments, court dates, police interviews and other important meetings related to your case. Failing to show up to your obligations doesn’t just carry legal consequences in some scenarios, but it may signal to the judge and prosecutor that you’re not taking your case seriously enough.

Projecting that you don’t care about the process or about the court’s time can have a major impact on sentencing, among other things. It’s important that you make a point to attend all interviews, hearings and meetings and to do so on time or – even better – early. You should also make it a point to respond promptly to communications from your legal team so they don’t get stuck waiting for your input or answers about important case-related concerns.

Tip #7: Stay out of trouble

If you’re already facing criminal charges, the last thing you want is to find yourself in the middle of any additional legal strife. Even a minor arrest while your case is pending can negatively affect your bond conditions, plea options or overall case outcome. While your case is active, you must avoid engaging in any risky behavior and steer clear of any potential encounters with law enforcement. You must also be diligent about adhering to any court-imposed rules like curfews, restraining orders, gag orders, etc.

Tip #8: Be respectful

As we’ve discussed, respect is paramount if you find yourself facing criminal charges. The legal process is a serious and formal one, and the court expects defendants to conduct themselves accordingly. While navigating the system, you will be expected to communicate appropriately and professionally with all judges, court staff, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, witnesses, reporters and members of the public you encounter.

Even if tensions run high, staying calm and respectful is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself. Judges may consider your attitude and courtroom demeanor when making decisions about sentencing, bail or diversion programs so avoid interrupting, rolling your eyes, speaking out of turn or getting belligerent during any and all legal proceedings.

Final thoughts

A client and their attorney function best when they work as a team. When all parties communicate and collaborate effectively with one another, attorneys and clients are able to craft stronger defenses while preparing for any possible curveballs in the case. Your lawyer is there to fight for you and for your rights, but they can’t do it alone. Get involved, stay honest and be responsive – it can only benefit you in the long run.

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Nashville or the surrounding areas, you deserve a criminal defense attorney who will do everything in their power to fight for a fair and favorable case outcome. At Waynick Law, PLLC, we are legal warriors, prepared to go to battle for those facing criminal charges.

If you’re accused of a crime and want to work with a criminal defense attorney who won’t back down, contact Waynick Law, PLLC today. We’d be happy to get you scheduled for a confidential case consultation so we can learn more about you, your case and your story.