
When you are charged with a crime, your attorney will examine a wide array of evidence to help your case. It’s important to understand, however, that this is not only physical evidence, like photos, DNA, or objects. Testimony can also be used as evidence to impact the outcome of your case. As such, your Houston criminal defense attorneys may want a character witness to help our case. If you’re not sure what a character witness is or how one can benefit your case, keep reading. The following blog explores what you should know about these matters.
What Is a Character Witness and How Can One Help My Case?
A character witness is someone who knows the defendant of a criminal case personally and can attest to who they are as a person. This individual is there to highlight the good things you’ve done in your life and your positive traits. Character witnesses are critical as they can help impact how the judge and jury view you.
Often, in criminal trials, the accused is villanized by the prosecution and charges against them. However, having someone who knows you personally speak about your good nature and the positive traits you possess can help humanize you. This can help you receive a more favorable outcome, as the jury may be more understanding.
How Should I Choose One?
Naming a character witness is incredibly important. In general, these individuals do not need special certifications or experience, like expert witnesses do. Instead, you should choose someone who knows you well, is trustworthy, and ideally has a good reputation in your community.
For example, you may find that a co-worker you only know in a work environment may not be the best person to speak on your behalf, because your relationship may not be in-depth or they may have their own questionable reputation. Instead, you can choose a mentor you’ve known for years or a neighbor with good standing in your community. Choosing someone with a clean legal record can help improve their credibility, making the jury more likely to believe them. Your attorney can assist in selecting someone to fulfill this role.
It’s also important to understand that your attorney will help ensure they are prepared for trial by doing interviews to help ensure they are comfortable speaking about you and ensuring that what they say aligns with your testimony.
Having a character witness can impact the outcome of your case, as they can help the jury view you in a different light. As such, it’s imperative to connect with an experienced attorney who can help you navigate the legal complexities you may encounter while helping to ensure your character witness is prepared for their time on the stand. At the Gonzalez Law Group, we understand how difficult these matters can be, which is why our firm is dedicated to fighting for you. Connect with our team of criminal defense attorneys to learn how we can help you.