Have you caused a traffic accident or were you a participant in one? Has the police contacted you to provide an explanation or attend an interrogation? Are you already facing court proceedings? In such cases, it is advisable to be represented by an attorney specializing in criminal law who will assist you throughout the situation. Their task is to ensure the most favorable outcome for the client in criminal or administrative proceedings. This is fundamentally achieved by overseeing the legality of the procedures followed by law enforcement authorities (police, prosecutor, court) and ensuring the defendant’s rights are respected. More importantly, however, they will devise a comprehensive defense strategy and perform the actions described below.
Duties of an Attorney – Defense Counsel in Criminal Proceedings
The primary goal of a defense attorney is to PROVE THE INNOCENCE OF THE ACCUSED. Therefore, they seek evidence in the client’s favor, dispute and refute evidence against them, ask appropriate questions to witnesses and victims, and utilize their expert knowledge of the law and judicial precedents.
In some cases, the evidence against the accused is difficult to challenge; therefore, the defense attorney strives to ensure that the outcome of the criminal proceedings is at least as lenient as possible. This means the attorney’s task is to SECURE A CONVICTION FOR A LESS SERIOUS OFFENSE and a LOWER SENTENCE.
CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
In traffic accidents, guilt and sentencing are often based on the testimony of the participants, witnesses, and expert reports. After a traffic accident, the police first invite those involved to provide an explanation. If they subsequently believe that a person has committed a crime, they initiate criminal prosecution and issue a resolution to that effect. The accused may file a complaint against this resolution within 3 days, which is reviewed by the supervising public prosecutor. If the criminal proceedings continue, a second police visit follows for the defendant’s testimony, known as an interrogation. After the interrogation, the defense strategy determines whether to seek an agreement with the prosecutor and the victim, such as a plea bargain, conditional dismissal of the prosecution, or a settlement agreement. Alternatively, the case may proceed to court to fight for the client’s innocence.
CHOOSE AN ATTORNEY – DEFENSE COUNSEL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Criminal proceedings consist of several consecutive stages. For the best development of a client’s case, it is essential that their defense attorney is involved from the very beginning. If an attorney joins the defense at a later stage, it may no longer be possible to help the client fully, and they may only be able to mitigate the consequences.
I AM AN AGGRIEVED PARTY OR A VICTIM OF A CRIME
The Law Office of JUDr. Marek Matěna in Olomouc, Ostrava, Pardubice, Frýdek-Místek, and Zlín also assists victims of crime and aggrieved parties. A victim can only be a natural person who has suffered harm to their health, psychological well-being, or property. An aggrieved party can also be a legal entity. If a client chooses us as their legal representative, we will ensure that the court awards them compensation for the damages and non-pecuniary harm suffered as a result of the crime.
AK MATĚNA HELPS CLIENTS IN DIFFICULT TIMES
The Law Office of JUDr. Marek Matěna in Olomouc, Ostrava, Pardubice, Frýdek-Místek, and Zlín has long specialized in criminal law. Therefore, if you are dealing with providing an explanation or an interrogation at the police, facing a main trial, have received a penal order, or are conversely an aggrieved party or victim of a crime, or have any other legal problem, do not hesitate to contact us. Our law firm will attend to you immediately and assist you with everything.
