If you have been charged with a crime, or if you are under criminal investigation and suspect that you may soon be charged and arrested, the first thing you should do is get a lawyer. Defendants are always better off when working with an attorney. The path of self representation will only lead to headaches, fines, and possibly even jail time. It is nearly impossible for a defendant to handle his or her own criminal case. Apart from the distraction, worry, and loss of sleep caused by the extreme stress of the situation, the vast complexities of the law itself make self representation exceedingly difficult. A lawyer will do much on your behalf. Here are just a few examples:
- A defense attorney will negotiate deals with the prosecution to get your charges reduced or your sentence lessened (if the charges are such that jail time is unavoidable).
- A defense attorney will be familiar with the intricacies of the law and will therefore be able to pick up on nuances of your case that your untrained eye might miss.
- A defense attorney knows who to talk to, when to approach this person, and what to say. Familiarity with local court etiquette and all the unwritten “rules” of navigating the court will enable your attorney to know which prosecutor holds the keys to your fate and what sort of arguments will convince this person to settle your case to your advantage.
- A defense attorney will understand when it is in your best interest to take a plea bargain and what taking such a deal might actually end up costing you in the long run.
- Only a defense attorney can adequately provide you with a knowledgeable and objective view of the situation and its likely outcome. Should you take a plea bargain, or would you be better off going to trial? Only a defense attorney can adequately advise you on the answers to such questions.
- Only a defense attorney can spend the time required to give your case the best possible chance of a favorable outcome. Most defendants lack the time required to mount a quality defense. Defendants have jobs and other obligations, after all, and doing all the necessary research in a criminal case takes a lot of time, effort, and energy.
- Only a defense attorney has the necessary experience to convince a jury to take your side should your case go to trial. You are far better off when you have a skilled courtroom attorney on your side, advocating your case, and using all of his or her powers of legal persuasion to convince a judge and jury of your innocence.