Those who assert their innocence when facing criminal charges often need to take their cases to trial. Before the trial takes place, the prosecutor has to provide the evidence they intend to present to the defense team.
Typically, reviewing the evidence is a crucial component of a successful defense strategy. An attorney can help a defendant determine how to counter that evidence in the courtroom. In some cases, bringing in professionals and expert witnesses can be an important part of a criminal defense strategy.
What types of professionals might play an important role in fighting criminal charges?
Forensic accountants
Those accused of financial crimes ranging from embezzlement to wire fraud often face charges backed by a mountain of dense financial paperwork. It can be very difficult to sort through the evidence that allegedly supports the state’s charges. A forensic accountant is a financial professional with training and experience that helps them review financial records for signs of discrepancies and trace how funds move through financial systems. A forensic account can play a crucial role in a defendant’s response to white-collar criminal charges.
Mental health professionals
Psychologists and psychiatrists can provide insight into the behavior of a defendant or the other people involved in a situation. Their analysis can help convince the courts that someone was not in their right mind at the moment of a violent incident or might help raise questions about circumstances that could help exonerate the defendant. Especially in scenarios where the defense strategy involves an affirmative defense, mental health professionals might play an important role.
Scientists and similar experts
Prosecutors sometimes rely on questionable science when attempting to build their case. For example, they might use 911 call analysis or blood spatter analysis as a way of establishing their narrative around the crime. Professionals who work in various scientific fields ranging from computer technology to medicine can raise questions about how the state gathered or analyzed evidence. Expert witnesses and other highly-educated professionals can make a major difference for those trying to fight pending criminal charges.
Retaining the right legal assistance while planning a defense strategy can help defendants connect with the right support and improve their chances of exoneration. Those facing complex criminal cases, such as white-collar charges, may particularly benefit from the support of outside professionals in addition to the guidance of a skilled defense attorney.