Should I testify at my criminal hearing?

When preparing my defense strategy for a trial, one of the big questions I have to answer is whether to allow my client to testify. Under the law, the burden is on the State (the prosecutor) to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant (my client) is guilty of the crime he or she is accused. There is no burden on the Defendant to prove his or her innocence. All that needs to be proven is that there’s reasonable doubt that the defendant DIDN’T commit the crime.

Putting the defendant on the witness stand and allowing the State to cross examine him or her is an important decision with long lasting ramifications. While choosing for a defendant to take the stand could certainly add credibility to the defense, one wrong statement or misinterpreted answer could be disastrous to a defense.

If you are facing criminal charges and choose to have your day in court, don’t go it alone, hire an experienced criminal attorney  and discuss with him/her what trial strategy works for you and in your best interest. Don’t give the Prosecutor any advantage by making a poor decision because you want “to be heard”. 

Criminal defense attorney Brandon Rosenbloom represents clients who have been accused of crimes, including DUI, traffic violations, theft and drug possession.

A former Fulton County prosecutor, Brandon combines his training, experience and passion to serve those accused of crimes in the greater Atlanta area, including Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.