How would you answer this question: 'Provide five tips on how to achieve the best possible outcome from a criminal proceeding (in regards to the accused). I think it is supposed to relate back to the principles of justice.
Is this straight out, copy-pasted from your source? If it is, then this part: "(in regards to the accused)" is really confusing for me! Sorry if it's actually simple and then I'm confused, but I interpret this as 2 different things:
1. Are we giving tips for the defendant in order to help them get their desired sentence?
2. Are we giving tips to the magistrate/ judge so that they can sanction a just punishment?
So if we're giving tips to the accused, I'd say:
- Ask the prosecution for a hand-up brief during the committal hearing, so that the offender knows what charges that the prosecution is accusing them of. Asking for a hand-up brief will mean that they can try and defend some of the charges and their lawyer can negotiate with the prosecution, in the hope that they can receive a less severe sentence
- Don't try to do your own research. The court system has its own complex language, and unless you are well-versed in it, you may actually do more harm than good by trying to tackle your own research. Let your lawyer research the case.
- Don't compare your case with other, similar cases. Each case is entirely unique, and one case generally has nothing to do with another case, no matter how similar they initially may seem
- Tell your lawyer what you would like to see him or her doing regarding your case, and share any ideas you might have. Sometimes clients have ideas that lawyers might not think of because the client is so close to the circumstances that led to the charges. A collaborative experience with your lawyer will serve the offender best.
Hope this gives some direction to the question, but more than happy to be rectified by people