Serious Cases Need Serious Lawyers

Why motive matters in your criminal defense

On Behalf of | Oct 24, 2024 | White Collar Crimes

In many criminal cases, before the prosecution can obtain a conviction, they must demonstrate that the defendant possessed the requisite intent when committing the crime. Put more simply, the prosecutor often has to show that the defendant intended to commit the crime in question. Yet, proving intent can be notoriously difficult. This is why prosecutors often seek a motive for the crime in question.

What is ‘motive’ in a criminal case?

“Motive” is the underlying reason for a crime. For example, someone who murders their spouse may have been motivated to commit that crime to reap the benefits of an existing life insurance policy. This, in turn, shows that the defendant acted intentionally in committing the crime. Therefore, although establishing motive isn’t necessarily required for the prosecution to obtain a conviction, it can go a long way toward establishing the intent portion of the applicable statute.

How can you deal with motive in your criminal case?

If possible, you want to distance yourself from any perceived motive as much as possible. You may need to rely on your own witnesses to dispel the motivations presented by the prosecution, and presenting a solid alibi can devastate the prosecution’s case.

Also, you can’t shy away from attacking the motive head-on. For example, just because you’re facing financial problems doesn’t mean that you’re motivated to steal from your employer. So, in this example, don’t bury the fact that you were facing financial issues. Instead, show how you were finding other ways to deal with the issue, thus demonstrating that you weren’t motivated to commit the crime in question.

Don’t let the prosecution box you into a corner

Dealing with motive in your criminal case can be tricky. Remember, though, the burden is on the prosecution to prove your guilty. It’s not on you to prove your innocence. So, work with your attorney to find ways to poke holes in the prosecution’s case and increase your chances of escaping conviction and reclaiming your normal life.