Not the Bad Guy: How to Write Criminal Law Blogs That Combat Misconceptions in Public Opinion

When you’re a criminal defense lawyer, the blogosphere can be a tricky place. On the one hand, you want to write about your cases and victories to build your reputation and let potential clients know that you’re competent and aggressive in court. But on the other hand, there’s always the danger of being mistaken for a “bad guy” who defends terrible guys. This is especially true when it comes to highly controversial cases. It’s a tricky line to walk, but you can write criminal law blogs that change public opinion and help break through the misconceptions about criminal charges with the proper perspective.

The Skewed Public Vision of Criminal Charges

Criminal charges aren’t always what they seem. In fact, the American public has a skewed vision of how criminal law works in this country. Here are some common misconceptions:

Misconception 1

People who are charged with crimes must be guilty of those crimes.

The truth is that sometimes people are charged with crimes they didn’t commit. Sometimes the police rush to make an arrest before thoroughly investigating a crime, and sometimes prosecutors file charges even when they know the evidence against the defendant is weak. In these cases, it’s up to the criminal defense lawyer to fight for the defendant’s freedom and reputation.

Misconception 2

The criminal justice system is fair and always operates within the bounds of the law.

Sometimes the criminal justice system fails people. The police, who are supposed to protect and serve citizens, sometimes violate citizens’ rights to make arrests. Prosecutors, whose job is to seek justice for victims and the public, sometimes rush to judgment and file charges when they know the evidence against the defendant is weak. In these cases, it’s up to the criminal defense lawyer to ensure that the defendant’s rights are protected and that they get a fair trial.

Misconception 3

The criminal justice system always punishes the guilty and protects the innocent.

In some instances, innocent people end up in prison, while guilty people are never punished. Sometimes, the police and prosecutors make mistakes or intentionally violate defendants’ rights to get convictions. In these cases, it’s up to the criminal defense lawyer to set things right.

These misconceptions can make it hard for criminal defense lawyers to communicate with the public. After all, if you’re writing a blog post about how your firm got a drug charge dismissed for a client, it’s easy for readers to misinterpret your motives. They may think you’re trying to make yourself look good or that you’re defending criminals and helping them get away with crimes. And that’s not good for business. Understanding these misconceptions and framing your articles accordingly can help change public opinion about criminal law.

How to Combat Misconceptions With Your Blog Posts

When you’re a criminal defense lawyer, it’s essential to combat the misconceptions about criminal law to win public opinion. How can you do that by writing blogs? Here are some ideas:

Write About the Unfair Incarceration of Innocent People

By talking about the unfair incarceration of innocent people, you can help the public understand that not everyone charged with a crime is guilty. You can also show them how the criminal justice system often fails people.

Discuss the Unfair Treatment of Defendants by Police and Prosecutors

The unfair treatment of defendants by police and prosecutors negatively impacts the criminal justice system. You can help the public understand how the system is broken and why it needs to be fixed by talking about this issue.

Write on the Need for Fairness and Justice in the Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice system must be fair to everyone, regardless of their race, religion, or social status. By talking about the need for fairness and justice in the criminal justice system, you can help the public understand why they should support criminal defense lawyers and their efforts to make the system better.

Talk About the Need for Equal Treatment of Defendants by Police and Prosecutors

All defendants deserve to be treated equally by the police and prosecutors. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Blogs written by criminal defense lawyers can help the public understand the inequities defendants can face regarding how they’re treated by law enforcement.

Frame Your Posts in a Way That Assumes the Defendant Is Innocent

When you frame your posts in a way that assumes the defendant is innocent, you can help change public opinion about criminal law. By showing that you believe in the presumption of innocence, you help people recognize that jumping to conclusions about the guilt of criminal defendants is unfair and wrong.

Share Personal Stories From Your Clients

Your clients’ personal stories and case studies can help the public understand how the criminal justice system affects real people. By sharing these stories, you can help the public see that the criminal justice system is not just an abstract concept; it impacts real people in a meaningful way.

Share the Facts About Criminal Convictions

The criminal justice system is not always fair or just, but it does its job. By sharing the facts about criminal convictions, you can help the public see that convictions are not always a sign of guilt. You can also show them why they should support criminal defense lawyers and their work to make the system better.

Start Your Own Criminal Law Blog Today

If you’re a criminal defense lawyer, it’s essential to understand the public’s misconceptions about criminal law. If you’re interested in helping change public opinion about criminal law, implement a criminal law blog marketing strategy today. By writing thought-provoking articles and sharing your views on the criminal justice system, you can help make a difference in how people think about criminal law and lawyers.

Contact the legal marketing experts at RizeUp Media if you need assistance getting started. We can help you create a blog that will help you change public opinion about criminal law and use advanced digital marketing strategies to increase your online visibility and attract more clients.