Why should I hire a criminal defense lawyer?

 

1.      The Prosecutor may be an upstanding man of integrity, BUT if you have been charged with a crime THE PROSECUTOR IS NOT YOUR FRIEND!!! The Prosecutor does not represent you in Court and is not there to present your side of the story or make argument\recommendations that you want the Court to hear.  THE STATE HAS AN ATTORNEY, YOU SHOULD TOO!!!

 

2.      IF YOU ARE INNOCENT, you need an experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer to assist you in proving your case. The Rules of Evidence and Trial Procedure are complex and if you handle your own case you may not be able to present the evidence necessary to show your innocence. Innocent people are sometimes convicted if they do not have good legal assistance. See The Innocent Project Webpage at http://www.innocenceproject.org/case/

 

3.      IF YOU ARE GUILTY, you need an attorney:

a)                  To make sure that the State has the evidence to prove you are guilty.  And to make sure that the State obtained their evidence without violating your Constitutional Rights. If the State did violate your Constitutional Rights a good Criminal Defense Lawyer can request that evidence seized unlawfully be thrown out and not used by the State against you;

 

b)                  To make sure that the State has not over charged you. It is not uncommon for Law Enforcement Officers or Prosecutors to charge an individual with a crime that is the most severe crime that they think they can prove, and not the crime that most likely fits what you have done.  A good Criminal Defense Lawyer will make sure you are not over charged.  This may include getting felonies reduced to misdemeanors etc.;

 

c)                  If the State has the evidence and has not over charged you a good Criminal Defense Attorney can help negotiate a fair Plea Agreement and represent you and present your case at Sentencing before the Judge.  Remember the Prosecutor does not present your case at Sentencing and is not your friend. See #1;

 

 

YOU HAVE IMPORTANT RIGHTS; DON’T LOSE THEM BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE AN ATTORNEY TO ASSIST YOU.  CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT HAS SEVERE CONSEQUENCES TO YOU RIGHT NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.

 

REMEMBER THE STATE HAS AN ATTORNEY.  DON’T GO IT ALONE.

SEE #1, ABOVE.

Aren't attorneys expensive?

That depends on how you look at it.  Criminal consequences are severe right now and in the future.  A Criminal Record can cost you future jobs or raises.  In some cases it can eliminate you from every entering certain career choices.  Additionally, certain traffic offenses can suspend your driver’s license and increase you insurance further complicating your ability to work.  Additionally, how much is it worth to spend even one less day in Jail.

 
You can go it alone and/or you can shop for the cheapest Attorney; however, remember:  YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!

 

HIRE AN ATTORNEY THAT HAS THE REPUTATION AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO DO THE JOB.  IT IS YOUR LIFE, YOU DESERVE THE BEST!!!