The Importance of Prompt Action
In many cases, a strong criminal defense consists of several different actions related to a case. A skilled attorney may make procedural challenges to evidence and other aspects of the prosecution’s case to weaken the state’s justification for conviction, for example. Other components could involve the presentation of evidence or witness testimony to support a claim of innocence.
To ensure that a defendant has the most comprehensive defense possible, prompt action could be essential, especially since evidence often deteriorates with time if steps are not taken to collect and preserve it. Witnesses may be more difficult to locate as time passes, for example, and their memory may become less reliable. Similarly, video footage showing an incident may be erased if a defendant or their lawyer does not take specific action to preserve it.
Considering the possibility of deteriorating evidence, it is generally best to contact legal counsel as quickly as possible after an arrest or criminal charge. An experienced Charleston defense attorney could work to preserve evidence so it is available later in negotiations and at trial.