If you’re facing a criminal charge, one of the questions that will come to mind is whether or not you should be hiring a criminal defence attorney. There is an obvious downside which will be the legal fees that you’re expected to pay for the services. This can be considered a small price to pay considering what criminal defence lawyers can do when you find yourself charged with a criminal offense. In this post, we’re going to highlight some of the reasons why you should be getting in touch with a criminal defence lawyer.
Strong Understanding of the Judicial System
This is perhaps the first and most important reason why you’d want to get in touch with a criminal defence attorney. The legal system is complex and can confuse even those that have been in the profession for years. That is why it will be a bad idea to represent yourself in a criminal case. An experienced lawyer will know their way around intricate details and this will work to your advantage, especially when facing a serious criminal charge. You don’t want to face a lengthy sentence behind bars when a criminal defence attorney can reduce it to a few months.
Relationships with Prosecutors
An experienced criminal defence attorney will have worked with several prosecutors. There is likely to be a good outcome when both parties have positive experiences in the past and a good attorney will have established relationships with the prosecutors. Such a relationship will make it easy for the attorney to negotiate for a better plea. That is why it is usually recommended that you’re looking for a local attorney that is familiar with the court systems and the prosecutor if you’re to optimize the chances of getting the best deal for the case.
Experience
There is a high likelihood that the criminal defence attorney might have dealt with similar cases to yours in the past. This gives him or her the upper hand when it comes to preparing the defence. Since the case is familiar, they’re able to present the possible outcomes so that you can know what to expect. They’ll know what needs to be done so that the client is getting the best outcome for the case. You’ll not have such a privilege if you choose to go without an attorney for your criminal case.
They Will Protect Your Future
You might be a first-time offender facing a criminal charge that could potentially see you going to prison. When you work with an experienced attorney, you can have the charge reduced or thrown out altogether. The goal will be to keep a felony off your criminal record as it could have an adverse effect on the future. The lawyer can also reduce the penalty so that you’re avoiding going to jail. You’ll not have to worry about getting fired because you have a criminal record and have to spend a couple of months behind bars.
Saves You Money
Paying for legal fees should be the least of your worries when facing a criminal offense. You could end up losing your source of livelihood because of going to jail or having a felony record. Can you approximate how much you stand to lose if you’re to go to jail for the next eight months? Your earning potential could completely be destroyed if you’re to have your license revoked for years. That is why it is crucial that you’re getting in touch with a criminal defence attorney if you intend to save money.
Possible Outcomes
Some attorneys will paint a rosy picture of the possible outcome of the case. You need to be aware of what to expect so that you’re prepared. A good attorney will be honest about the possible outcomes of the case and will try as much as possible to ensure that you’re getting the best deal regardless of the severity of the offense. Some prosecutors will want to make an example of your case and will level unwarranted charges. A good attorney will make you aware when taking a plea deal is the best option given the circumstances of the case.
Conclusion
Make sure that you’re looking for an experienced criminal defence attorney that will help ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible for your case. One of the ways you can gauge the experience of the attorney is by looking at the number of years that they’ve been practicing. You should also not forget to ask for references.
