Rochester firm challenging every aspect of a criminal charge

A few weeks ago on the blog we discussed an incident that left a Rochester man facing criminal charges for possessing stolen property. This case is a perfect example of how defense options can be discovered simply by looking at the legal elements that must be proven before prosecutors can obtain a conviction. Intent is often one of these elements. Here, prosecutors must establish that a defendant knowingly and/or willfully committed a certain act. Therefore, in these instances, a prosecutor must establish not only that the act occurred, but also that it was done intentionally.

Elements like these can be difficult to prove. In an attempt to do so, though, prosecutors will often turn to key witnesses, such as bystanders and law enforcement officials. These individuals may not only place a defendant at the scene of the crime, but they might also put forth testimony that seeks to establish intent. Without pushing back against these key testimonies, defendants may leave themselves vulnerable to criminal conviction.

This is why most, if not all, criminal defendants need a strong criminal defense attorney on their side. At the Law Office of James L Riotto, our legal team diligently works to find witnesses and physical evidence that supports our clients’ stories, but we also work hard to draw the prosecution’s witnesses’ credibility into question. We do the same with physical evidence, whether by challenging chain of custody, witness bias, or lack of proper authentication.

There are many aspects of a competent criminal defense, and all of them are necessary to ensure that one’s best interests are protected as fully as possible. Those who want to learn more about how our firm’s individualized approach can be beneficial to their unique case can research our firm further.