Strength of Evidence in Criminal Cases
This is probably one of the first questions you want to answer if you've got a pending criminal case in Lancaster. The reason this is so important is because it will dictate what your strategy is going to be moving forward.
So, often, I will sit down with my clients. One of the first things we'll discuss is whether the prosecutors have the evidence to prove the case against you. Therefore, we'll take the case to jury trial.
Basically, how I break this tie—how I figure this out—is I ask the client whether or not they believe they've done anything wrong or criminal. If they do, then we're going to try to figure out a way to resolve the case if the government actually has the evidence against them.
On the other hand, if the government either doesn't have the evidence against them or has the proof, it's murky, and there's another side to the story. If the client says that they're innocent, then obviously, that's the type of case we will fight in a jury trial.
So, we want to sit down and evaluate that right from the beginning, and people say, why are we looking at that now? It's the beginning of the case. If we're even going to consider fighting the case, we need to know our chances in a jury trial.
That is the ultimate weapon you have in a Lancaster criminal case: taking your case to a jury trial, showing 12 community members that you're innocent, and getting a not-guilty verdict.
So, you have to evaluate it from that standpoint if you want to know how you will handle the case. If you evaluate it and you see that they have some issues with their case — they're not going to be able to prove their case — and you do not want to take a guilty plea, then the writing is on the wall — you're going to take that case to a jury trial, fight it and try to win it.
Plea Bargaining Criminal Cases
If, on the other hand, you determine that the prosecutors have the evidence against you and that they'll be able to prove the case after we sit down and talk about it, then obviously, that is not the type of case you're going to want to take to a jury trial. We will want to try to work out a plea deal with the prosecutors.
Knowing this information right from the beginning is crucial because your moves will determine your fate. So, if we're fighting the prosecutors, we're trying to block every piece of evidence.
We tell them we don't want to negotiate; we argue with them. They're going to take that poorly, but if you take your case to jury trial, then it doesn't matter. Who cares how they take it? Who cares what they think because, ultimately, a jury will decide your case, not the prosecutors?
But if, on the other hand, you realize you must negotiate with them because they have evidence against you, obviously, we're going to take a different approach—a different tact in that scenario—and we're not going to fight the case. We're going to be cooperative with the prosecutors so we can get the resolution we want.
We're going to give them a mitigation package. I will meet with the supervisor and do everything we can to get you the result you need in your criminal case.
That's why it's so crucial — so important — to make a decision — and make a right decision right from the beginning of your criminal case in the Lancaster court as to whether or not you're going to fight the case or whether your case is the type of case that needs to be resolved by way of a plea agreement.
I've got the wisdom. I've got the experience. I've got the skills to help you make that decision. Pick up the phone. Ask to speak to Ron Hedding. Tell them you've got a criminal case in Lancaster and need help.
How will you handle the case? I stand ready to help you and do everything possible to protect your rights, freedom, and liberty.
