Why Would You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

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If you've been accused of a crime, there are few options available to you regarding how you may be represented in a court of law. Your first option is to represent yourself. In the legal system, however, this option has been historically advised against. In fact, former President Abraham Lincoln once said on this very topic: "A man who represents himself has a fool for a client." Your second option for representation is to seek a court-appointed public defender. However, most public defenders have a bad reputation. This is because oftentimes public defenders are not able to put their best effort into your particular because of how overworked and underpaid they are. Your third and final option is to hire a criminal defense attorney. In this article, we'll explain why it is advantageous to consider hiring a personal lawyer if you're currently facing criminal charges.

Navigating the Judicial System

One of the biggest reasons why you should hire a private attorney is that they understand how the judicial system works. These lawyers have spent years in school studying criminal law, understanding how the judicial system works, and handling cases nearly identical to yours. The best criminal defense lawyers are knowledgeable of even the tiniest of nuances in the law - they are capable of identifying when proper procedure has been breached and whether a legal loophole exists that would be beneficial to your case. Many of these attorneys have built professional relationships with other lawyers on the side of the prosecution - relationships that may allow them to negotiate a better outcome for your case. If you decided to represent yourself, you would be missing out on all of these benefits. 

Making Informed Decisions

Another aspect of navigating the judicial system that a criminal defense lawyer would help you with involves the stress and emotions of dealing with a criminal accusation. One of the most acutely distressing experiences an individual can go through is being accused of a crime. In a court of law however it is often best to maintain your composure and keep a level-head when it is time to make stressful decisions. These attorneys will be able to provide you with a knowledgeable and objective perspective on your situation. Their perspective will be vital when the time comes to decide whether or not to accept the plea bargain from the prosecution. Additionally, a great attorney like Brett V. Beaubien, Esquire, Attorney at Law will listen to you and help you cope with any feelings of fear or anxiety you may have during your case.

Gathering Information and Negotiating Deals

In addition to representing your interests, a good criminal defense attorney will work diligently to collect all the information they can in support of the best outcome for your case. Witnesses on the side of the prosecution often fear speaking with the accused. For this reason, if you decide to represent yourself, witnesses may refuse to speak with you. It is often not considered strong evidence if the defendant's only defense is that the witness may have told them something differently prior to the start of the case. Therefore, having an attorney to gather testimonials from these witnesses can be extremely beneficial. Additionally, criminal defense lawyers may be able to strike deals with prosecutors arranging for reduced charges and time spent in jail. In contrast, if you decide to represent yourself in court, prosecutors may be uncooperative when it comes time to strike negotiate a plea bargain. 

In conclusion, we highly recommend hiring a criminal defense attorney if you ever find yourself in trouble with the law. In addition to navigating the judicial system and providing an objective perspective on your case, an experienced defense attorney will put the time and effort into gathering information and striking deals that may ultimately result in reduced fines and sentences.