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      • Selecting a Winning Lawyer
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      • Coping With Stress of Court
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Coping With the Stress of Prosecution

philosophy-1

If you are being accused of a crime, especially a serious crime, you may feel more persecuted than prosecuted. If the allegations are untrue, you rightfully wonder why the prosecutor did not conduct a more thorough review of the accusations and the credibility of the witnesses before indicting you? Even if the allegations are mostly true, why has the prosecutor excessively overcharged you and attacked you so vociferously? If you made a mistake or did something out of character for you, why doesn’t anyone take that into consideration?

It is more from carelessness about truth than from intentionally lying that there is so much falsehood in the world.

~ Samuel Johnson

Allegations can lead us to feel ashamed, unworthy, frightened, and angry. It’s even worse if a friend or lover is the source of these accusations. And tougher still, if the media is reporting the charges and the prosecutor’s disparaging, reputation assassinating characterizations of you. How do you fight back when the media heedlessly hoists you to a yardarm, exhibiting no more interest in the underlying weaknesses of the prosecution’s case than a magpie mindlessly picking at roadside carrion?

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.

~ Charles Spurgeon

What of your criminal defense lawyer? Is he working hard on your behalf? Is he interested in something more than following archaic judicial processes? Or, maybe, you may wonder why he cannot or refuses to give you some measure of certainty in the outcome of the case. There are few, if any, absolutes in the criminal justice system that will give you comfort. If your criminal defense attorney he is experienced, skilled, and doing his best for you, you can really ask no more of him. If, however, your lawyer appears uninterested in or overwhelmed by the task of representing you, replace him.

Perhaps, the accusations are untrue and you are outraged at having to grapple with the uncertainty of it all. Worse, you have to pay an attorney to defend you. In this life, unfairness and injustice visits us all.

Instead of internalizing a bad situation, externalize it and face your enemy.

~ Robert Greene

With so much of this feeling beyond your control your anxiety intensifies, threatening to override your judgment. You cannot worry your way out of being prosecuted – or any other frightening predicament. Reassurance is no antidote to anxiety. Seeking reassurance, either from your lawyer or anyone else, is not going to allay your fears. It’s only a form of running from them. When we run from our fears, they only grow more menacing.

To combat your fears, develop an attitude of indomitability. Neither the prosecutor nor anyone else can break you. Cultivate contempt for your adversary and any consequences. Relish this opportunity, for it may be the only occasion life affords you the chance to exhibit something special – true courage.

These are not dark days: these are great days—the greatest days our country has ever lived.

~ Winston Churchill (while under attack by the Nazis)

Kevin J. Mahoney is a Cambridge Criminal Defense Lawyer, on-air legal analyst, and author of Relentless Criminal Cross-Examination.

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Testimonials

  • NS, a DUI client,about 1 month ago

    Attorney Mahoney,

    I just wanted to say thank you for such a wonderful and excellent job you did for me. You were quite impressive up there and you really did your homework catching her in a few lies from previous testimony. You are the best! Even though I never want to be in this situation again, if I know anyone I will give them your name.

    Thank Amy for me too! She is a great asset to have in your office! Very pleasant and understanding.

    Again thank you and go Celtics!
     

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  • about 1 month ago

    Kevin Mahoney recently represented me in a case for destruction of property and disorderly conduct. He was extremely thorough and persistent, and despite a great deal of evidence against me, he managed to get the felony charge dropped without having to go to trial.

    I had never been in legal trouble before and had no idea how to proceed, and without his counsel, I am sure that I would have gotten convicted.

    He listened to my specific needs and always acted in my best interest. His knowledge, attention to detail, and general courtroom presence continued to amaze me throughout the entire process.
     

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  • M.K.about 1 month ago

    Dear Attorney Mahoney:

    I wish to express my sincere appreciation for your efforts on my behalf. Your defense was truly outstanding. The court room skills that you demonstrated and legal knowledge were truly incomparable. I’m wishing you the very best in your future endeavors.

    In addition, I ‘m looking forward to viewing the Jello Trial on Court T.V. Let me thank you once again.

     

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  • about 1 month ago

    Attorney Mahoney,

    Is very knowledgeable and very professional. He has just represented me in a case lasting a year and a half, and he made sure I got a fair trial with a fair jury. He kept me well informed about what would be happening in the court room and always had a well thought out defense for any route of attack the D.A. would be planning on.

    My trial took 2 and a half days and after the jury deliberated for approximately 23 minutes they came back with a “Not guilty” verdict. I would recommend Attorney Mahoney to anyone I know, but I sure hope I dont need him again. : ) .
     

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Kevin J. Mahoney’s New Book Coming Soon

The Title IX Sexual Harassment Handbook

"Attorney Mahoney is currently authoring an authoritative and strategy driven compendium on investigating and defending Title IX sexual assault cases for lawyers, students, and universities. The book will be available through James Publishing within months."

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