Facing criminal allegations can be a difficult predicament for individuals in Louisiana and elsewhere. If it is a person’s first run-in with the law, it can be a very confusing and overwhelming experience. And, for those with a criminal background, facing charges could mean facing harsher penalties if a conviction occurs. Not matter the situation, it is important to explore defense options.
What are common criminal defense strategies? While there is no one-size-fits-all defense plan, there are some more common and favorable options for those accused of a crime. This can be broken down into two categories, which includes telling the truth and asserting denials, and admissions of guilt.
Telling the truth is essentially setting up a narrative that tells the best story possible for the accused. This means that the foundation of the story is based on truthful evidence. This truthful storytelling can help gain sympathy with the judge or jury, as it could illustrate certain actions, such as attempts to withdraw before the act was committed. Finally, this can help prove that the events occurred in the manner that the defendant has told.
With regards to denials and admissions of guilt, this can be broken down into three categories. The first is a confession story. This is when the defendant admits to the allegations. The next is a complete denial story, which is when the accused denies everything he or she is accused of. This is commonly associated with alibi evidence. The final category is admit and explain. This falls somewhere between the first two categories, which entails admitting to certain conduct, but provides certain evidence to better explain the situation.
