Did you know that certain crimes in the United States saw a major decline recently? For example, homicides dropped by 21% during the first quarter of 2025. Property crime, including burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft, also declined significantly.
You might feel scared after being charged with any of these crimes. The police or prosecutors might say they have proof against you. These proofs can include witness statements, video, or other pieces of evidence against you. Keep in mind that presenting evidence doesn’t always mean that it is right or fair.
If you find yourself in this kind of scenario, you need to consult a criminal defense lawyer. One of their most important jobs is to challenge the evidence. According to Daniel DeMaria, Esq., choosing a criminal defense lawyer to defend you may be one of the most important decisions you ever make.
This article will discuss how criminal defense lawyers fight for your rights by contesting the evidence brought against you.
Understanding the Rules of Evidence
In its broadest sense, the rules of evidence encompass various processes that determine what can be presented in court during a criminal case, including serious charges such as federal bank fraud.
Lawyers safeguard you against an unfair trial. They keep the integrity of the judicial process. As the defendant, you need to start familiarizing yourself with key terms, like “relevance,” “admissibility,” and “hearsay.”
The court will not allow evidence if it can’t clearly prove or disprove something in a criminal case. Examples of relevant proof can be witnesses or physical evidence. The evidence must clearly establish a fact relevant to the charges or defense in your case.
A criminal defense lawyer should immediately handle criminal charges such as burglary, murder, or robbery. For serious crimes like bank fraud, you must seek the help of a federal bank fraud lawyer to receive an explanation for your rights and available options.
Recognizing these rules empowers you to make objections to improper evidence that further strengthens the defense of your case.
Investigating the Collection Process
The process of gathering evidence is as important as knowing what major and minor rules govern it. It is necessary to check whether the evidence was legally procured. Evidence can be excluded from the courtroom if the authorities conducted an illegal search or mishandled it.
Check if there has been an interruption during the collection of evidence. Interruptions can reduce the reliability of the evidence. Question the methods used in the collection: Were they appropriate? Were they thorough? Discuss the possibility of biases entering the collection process.
Analyzing Witness Credibility
How can you make sure the witnesses in the case are credible? Start by examining their backgrounds and potential biases. Look into any past criminal records or other marks on their character that will diminish their credibility.
Determine whether a witness can recollect things with accuracy. Consistent statements may indicate that a witness can recollect events accurately. Pay attention to the behavior of the witness. It can be concerning if a witness lacks nervousness or shows avoidance.
Account for any vested interest the witness might have concerning your case. If they have a stake in the outcome, it could potentially compromise their reliability.
Weigh their testimony against other evidence. The resolution of your case greatly depends on whether the facts support or contradict the witness testimony. Selecting reliable witnesses is important since they help build your defense.
Employing Expert Testimony
One valuable defense might be to use witness testimony. Don’t forget to utilize expert testimony. An expert witness can bring in specialized knowledge to explain matters to the jury, who may be predisposed against your case.
They can examine evidence, assess forensic data, or explain psychological issues relevant to your case. Hiring experts lends more credibility to your side of the story while providing an alternative view to that presented by the prosecution.
See to it that any expert you choose is highly qualified in the area relevant to your case. Their ability to communicate their findings can significantly benefit your case in court.
Utilizing Pre-Trial Motions
Before the trial has even started, pre-trial motions can make a big impact on where the case will head.
Contesting evidence admissibility, search validity, or allegation reasons is common. You may pursue a request to suppress evidence to prevent the jury from seeing damning facts, giving your defense a better case.
You may also move for the dismissal of charges for insufficiency of evidence or procedural errors. Your counsel will prepare these motions in such a way as to best expose the weakness of the prosecution’s case.
Appeals on these pre-trial motions may form the basis of negotiations leading to pleas or dismissals well before any trial upon the merits commences.