Abraham Lincoln once famously said, “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” You’re certainly no fool, so why on earth would you consider representing yourself in court? If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, the most important step you can take is to retain a qualified criminal defense attorney to act as your representative before the court. This also holds true if you believe that you are the subject of a criminal investigation, particularly if you suspect that you will soon be arrested and charged with a crime.
Sure, you could always defend yourself. Plenty of people do this on TV, right? In fact, there are plenty of defendants in the real world who do choose to act as their own counsel in court. But ask yourself, how well do these individuals fare in court? Most do not fare well at all. It is impossible to become a lawyer overnight, and simply reading up on the law is not sufficient to prepare you for your day in court. After all, the prosecutor you will face in the courtroom will be a trained legal professional with years of experience and expertise that far surpasses your quick crash course in the study of law.
The law is not a matter of books alone. One thing that makes self-representation so very difficult is the yawning chasm that opens up between the law as it is written and the law that is enacted in the courts. Now, this is not to say that lawyers and judges are not following written laws or acting according to the books. This simply means that, in reality, the law is not always as simple as a cut-and-dried statement in a statute book makes it out to be. Indeed, the practice of law is teeming with complexity, and only a highly experienced courtroom attorney can effectively navigate the ever-complex legal system on your behalf.
Before you have your day in court, make sure you have taken all necessary steps to ensure your success. The very first step you should take when faced with any type of criminal proceeding or investigation is to seek the services of an experienced defense attorney. Do not risk your good reputation, your livelihood, and perhaps even your very freedom by choosing to represent yourself in court. Questions about your case or other criminal proceeding or investigation? Contact Naiburg, Obedin and Weissman for a free consultation.