What Are the Hardest Cases to Defend?

When a person is accused of a criminal act, experienced legal representation can be crucial to a successful outcome in the case. This is especially true when the allegations include certain kinds of charges that can be especially difficult to defend. When being accused of a serious crime, you may wonder, what are the hardest cases to defend? A skilled criminal defense attorney can improve your chances of a favorable outcome, even in the most difficult cases.

Legal Defense 101

In a criminal case, the prosecutor is responsible for proving that the defendant committed the crime they are accused of by presenting evidence that a reasonable person believes is accurate and credible. A criminal defense lawyer’s job is to legally challenge that evidence on behalf of the defendant and ensure their client’s rights are protected throughout the legal process.

What this means in practice is reviewing the facts of the case and the procedures law enforcement used, making notes of factors that can influence the outcome for the defendant, and creating a legal defense based on criminal laws, case law, and legal procedures. A skilled Monroe criminal defense attorney can draw from a variety of common legal defense strategies, depending on the facts of the specific case.

Criminal cases in Monroe are tried at the Union County Judicial Center on North Main Street. The latest report by the North Carolina Judicial Branch shows that there were 24,600 criminal cases filed in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Of those, 76.7 % were misdemeanors related to motor vehicle offenses such as driving while impaired or hit and run; 11.8% were other misdemeanors like assault or larceny, and 11.6% were felonies like robbery, burglary, sex crimes, or murder.

What Are the Hardest Cases to Defend?

Any criminal case can be hard to defend, regardless of the specific charge, when there is very strong evidence that is difficult to challenge. Such evidence may include:

• Physical evidence like fingerprints or DNA
• Evidence that is corroborated by credible testimony
• Documentation like video footage, phone records, or financial account statements
• Voluntary confessions by the defendant
• Official records like arrest records, police reports, or medical records

Law enforcement and the prosecution work to build a case with multiple kinds of corroborating evidence whenever possible. But in many cases, even before trial, a trusted criminal defense lawyer may be able to challenge the procedures law enforcement used to collect the evidence or present evidence that counters the prosecution’s case, such as an alibi.

Certain kinds of cases can be especially challenging for a variety of reasons. Some of the most difficult charges to defend against are:

• Acts against a vulnerable person – Charges like assault or sex crimes against a member of a vulnerable group, like children, older people, or disabled people, can create a lot of strong emotions in people. So, even when the evidence has weaknesses, it can be difficult to overcome those strong emotions in members of the jury.
• White-collar crimes – Evidence in white-collar cases can often be complicated, and juries may not always fully understand the nuances of complex financial records and other evidence.
• Violent offenses – The serious nature of the crimes, higher stakes, strong negative biases against such acts, and the complexity of legal issues like intent can make these offenses especially hard to defend against.

In such cases, working with a criminal defense attorney who has a proven record of successfully defending against similar charges can have a huge impact on the results of the case. Another factor that can affect the outcome of the case is whether the attorney is familiar with the local courts, prosecutors, and judges and, therefore, knowledgeable about what tactics they are likely to employ in the case against the defendant.

FAQs

Q: What Are Some Common Defense Strategies?

A: Some common defense strategies used to successfully defend against criminal accusations include alibis, self-defense, or the defense of others, and false allegations. It is important to remember, though, that each case is unique, so there is no one strategy that can work in every case. The most effective way to develop a legal defense strategy is by working with a seasoned criminal defense attorney who is familiar with the local courts.

Q: How Do You Prove Self-Defense?

A: In general, you prove self-defense by showing that there was a credible reason for the defendant to believe that they or someone else was in immediate danger of serious physical injury or even death. It is also essential to show that the force that was used in their defense was proportionate to the perceived threat. It is not enough to claim that there was a threat. There also has to be evidence to support the claim.

Q: What Crimes Are the Hardest to Prove?

A: The hardest crimes to prove are ones where there is not enough evidence, or the evidence is not strong enough to show that the specific crime was committed and that the defendant is the person who acted illegally. Offenses that include intent can often be the hardest to prove because it can be difficult to show another person’s intent, especially beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the burden of proof for the prosecution.

Q: What Tactics Do Defense Attorneys Use?

A: Defense attorneys use a range of legal tactics to represent defendants against criminal charges. These tactics rely on experience, as well as a strong understanding of criminal law, case law, legal language and procedures, the criminal justice system, negotiation and communication skills, and many other factors. An experienced criminal defense attorney can draw on a wide variety of knowledge, techniques, and resources to develop an individual defense strategy.

Aggressive Criminal Defense in Monroe, NC

The skilled and compassionate legal team at the Law Offices of Huffman & Kendrick has been providing high-quality legal representation to people in Monroe and the surrounding area since 1961. If you are facing criminal charges, you deserve an experienced, aggressive attorney to help you fight the charges. Contact our office right away to set up an initial consultation to discuss your case and learn your legal options.