Anytime you’ve been charged with a crime, you need to hire a criminal defense attorney. Whether you’ve been charged with a DUI after being stopped at a Beverly Hills checkpoint or you’ve been accused of a white collar crime, no matter what the charge, you should not attempt to represent yourself in court. (Image Credit: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay)
Criminal arrests and other legal problems can happen to anyone, even the rich and famous. Even if you are innocent of the crime with which you’ve been charged, the investigation can still be a traumatic experience for you and your family. If you’re convicted, it will become even more so.
If you’ve been arrested for any crime in Orlando it is imperative that you have the strongest possible defense by a criminal defense lawyer in Orlando. Your future is too valuable to entrust to anyone but an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Without an attorney, here’s what you’re putting at risk:
- Reputation: Being brought up on criminal charges can destroy your reputation overnight, but you can’t repair it that quickly.
- Insurance premiums: A criminal conviction can cause your insurance premiums to go sky-high.
- Future employment: Having a misdemeanor or a felony on your record can disqualify you from jobs in the future.
- Finances: You will face thousands of dollars in fines and fees if you’re convicted of a criminal offense.
- Freedom: If you’re convicted of a crime, you could spend days, weeks, months, or even years in jail or prison.
An attorney can walk you through each step of the legal process, and they understand how to weaken the prosecutor’s arguments. This could result in your charges being dropped or reduced, your sentence being reduced, or a not-guilty verdict in court. Visit this website if you’d like to speak to a criminal defense lawyer.
5 Reasons to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Still considering representing yourself in court? Here are five reasons you should get a lawyer instead.
They Understand the Possible Outcomes
A criminal defense attorney can advise you of the various potential scenarios you are facing and tell you which one is in your best interest. They will also be familiar with the judges, so they’ll be able to tell you how they may be likely to rule. With a lawyer advising you, you will know whether it’s best for you to accept a plea bargain or if it’s better for you to fight the charges in court.
They Know the Laws Police Are Bound To
Do you know what police officers are and are not legally allowed to do during an investigation? While you may focus on how you can prove you are not guilty, a lawyer will be looking for possible law enforcement misconduct. They may be able to have evidence suppressed or to have your case thrown out altogether.
They Understand How the Judicial System Works
Navigating the legal system can be a complex process. A lawyer can make it a lot simpler for you by breaking it down step by step and telling you what will happen at each stage. Without an attorney’s help, you might miss a step or not understand the legal proceedings. Any mistake in this process can cost you in ways it didn’t have to if only you’d had a lawyer’s assistance.
They Have Already Formed Relationships With Prosecutors
The criminal defense attorney may negotiate with the same prosecutors time after time. Eventually, they get to know them and develop a professional relationship. Your case is more likely to have a better outcome if the defense lawyer and the prosecutor have a good relationship. An example of this could be getting probation instead of a sentence or negotiating a better plea deal.
They Can Save You Money in the End
Representing yourself in court to save money could be one of the costliest mistakes you’ll ever make. Without a knowledgeable attorney to negotiate on your behalf, you could end up with much higher fines and legal fees. You could lose earning time by receiving a jail sentence, and you could lose the ability to work in your field entirely if you get a criminal record.
If you don’t have the strongest possible defense, the course of your life could be dramatically altered. There are plenty of areas most of us could cut some costs on to save a little money. Your criminal court case is not one of them.