If you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime, your first priority should be finding a good criminal defense attorney. Utah has some of the best criminal defense lawyers in the country, and your lawyer will be your best chance at getting the charges against you dismissed. There are several ways to get a criminal case dismissed, and your lawyer will know which ones are most likely to work in your case. Here are five of the most common ways to get a criminal case dismissed:
1. Lack of evidence – The prosecution must prove that you committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. If they can’t produce enough evidence to support their case, the charges will likely be dismissed.
2. Statute of limitations – Every state has a statute of limitations for certain crimes. If the crime you’re accused of committing is outside of the statute of limitations, the charges will be dismissed.
3. Double jeopardy – If you’ve been tried and acquitted or convicted of the same crime before, you can’t be tried for it again. This is known as double jeopardy, and it’s a defense that can lead to a criminal case being dismissed.
4. Ineffective assistance of counsel – If your lawyer didn’t provide adequate representation during your trial, you may be able to get the conviction overturned. This is known as ineffective assistance of counsel, and it’s a difficult defense to win.
5. Insanity plea – If you can prove that you were insane at the time of the crime, you may be able to have the charges against you dismissed. This is known as an insanity plea, and it’s a difficult defense to win.
If you’ve been charged with a crime, your best chance at getting the charges dismissed is to hire a good criminal defense attorney. Utah has some of the best criminal defense lawyers in the country, and they will know which defenses are most likely to work in your case. Contact a Utah criminal defense lawyer today to discuss your case and start building your defense.
