Criminal law is a complex area of law, and it is important to have experienced legal representation if you are facing criminal charges. At Lefevre Litigation, we are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality legal representation possible.
In this blog post, we will discuss the legal responsibilities of criminal lawyers in Scotland.
What Are the Legal Responsibilities of Criminal Lawyers?
Criminal lawyers advise their clients on their legal rights and options. This includes explaining the charges their clients are facing, the potential penalties, and the available options for their defense.
Furthermore, they are responsible for investigating the case, which can involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing evidence, and conducting legal research. In some cases, they may need to negotiate with the prosecution to potentially reduce or drop the charges, or to secure a more lenient sentence.
In preparation for trial, criminal defence lawyers will draft legal arguments and practice cross-examining witnesses, which they will then put into action during a court sentence. Ultimately, they represent their clients in court, arguing their case before a judge or jury.
Ethical Responsibilities
In addition to these legal responsibilities on behalf of their clients, criminal lawyers also have a number of ethical responsibilities. These include:
● Confidentiality: Criminal lawyers are bound by rules of confidentiality, which means that they cannot disclose information about their clients without their consent.*
● Competence: All solicitors are expected to be competent in their field of law, including criminal defence solicitors. This means that they should have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective legal representation.
● Diligence: Criminal lawyers are expected to be diligent in their work. This means that they should take all necessary steps to ensure that their clients' cases are handled properly.
● Candor: All lawyers, including criminal defence lawyers, are expected to be honest with the court and with opposing counsel. This means that they should not make false statements or withhold information.
● Fairness: Criminal lawyers are expected to be fair to all parties involved in the case. This means that they should not take advantage of their opponents or their clients.
*It’s important to note that this confidentiality
can be breached in a small number of exceptional circumstances, such as imminent threat of life to others. In such instances, the lawyer should still only disclose the minimum necessary information.
How Can Criminal Lawyers Help You?
Criminal lawyers can help you in a number of ways, including:
● Explaining your legal rights and options
● Investigating your case
● Negotiating with the prosecution
● Preparing for trial
● Representing you in court
● Protecting your rights
If you are facing criminal charges, it is important to seek legal advice from an experienced criminal lawyer. A professional solicitor specialised in this field of law can help you to understand your rights and options, and can provide you with the legal representation you need to defend yourself.
Get in Touch
If you are facing criminal charges and are in need of legal representation in Aberdeenshire, then look to us here at Lefevre Litigation. Are reputable criminal lawyers have abundant experience dealing with a range of criminal defence cases, from
theft and
assault to
drug-related and
road traffic offences.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your needs with us.
