In the United States, everyone should have access to legal representation. Even if you’re not guilty of committing a crime, you can greatly increase your chances of being found innocent if you have a lawyer supporting and fighting for your side.
Everyone deserves a chance at justice, and it’s important that you take advantage of the resources available to prove your innocence or plead down your charges. Here are ten reasons why having an attorney is essential for this process:
Table of Contents
1. Law Can Be Treacherous
The justice system is complicated. There are many different laws, statutes, and rules that have to be followed at the pretrial and trial level. If you try to represent yourself, you may end up damaging your case or missing a vital opportunity. A lawyer is educated in the law and can find creative ways to help you through the process.
2. Following Procedures
Many people improperly rely on their own common sense when trying to make sense of the law. If you try to represent yourself in a case, you’re unlikely to pay attention to the important guidelines and legal procedures. A lawyer is trained in how the court works and what’s expected of clients.
3. Over-budgeting Can Cost You
Even if you’re innocent of any criminal activity, the court can still require you to pay for certain costs associated with your case. If you’re not able to properly budget for the costs of your legal case, you can quickly wind up in debt. Lawyers can help you manage your budget and plan for future payments so you don’t end up over-budgeting or even going bankrupt.
4. Losing a Case, But Still Winning
Although the sentence you receive during trial can be devastating, it doesn’t mean the case is over. You may still be able to convince a judge or prosecutor that your actions were misinterpreted, or at the very least, we’re not as damaging as originally believed. In many cases, inmates are able to reduce their sentences through plea deals, but that doesn’t mean they’ve lost their chance at freedom.
5. Pre-trial Motions and Settlements
Before a case is even brought to trial, the defending against criminal charges can present motions to reduce or dismiss certain charges. Sometimes those emotions are granted by the court, and the case is dismissed before it even goes before the judge or jury. If you don’t have a lawyer, you could easily miss this opportunity.
6. “Who You Know” Matters
If you’re charged with a crime, the police may have reason to search through your background and start building a case against you. One wrong move and the case may be strengthened because of the information that was uncovered during this period.
A lawyer can speak with your old friends and family to determine if they were aware of any criminal activity and what they may have said. If they played a role in your arrest or conviction, this information could be used against you.
7. Combing Through Evidence
In many cases, the police have their own opinion of what happened during an incident. They’ll present their version of events and gather any evidence that supports that claim.
If you don’t have a lawyer, they may pressure you to tell them what happened, which can be very misleading in the long run. Instead, you need to follow your lawyer’s instructions and allow them to comb through the evidence to see if there’s any reason why things went wrong.
8. Access to Professionals and Experts
When the police arrest you, they’ll request that you name anyone you want to call for an attorney. If you don’t have a lawyer at this point, then it’s likely that your friends and family members will be called.
If they’re not allowed to represent you, and the evidence is used against you in court, you may not get fair representation at trial. Many defendants are able to avoid this issue by using lawyers as soon as possible.
9. Keep Your Record Clean
Even if you’re found innocent of a crime, it can still show up on your record. A conviction doesn’t mean you’ll have a tough time being accepted into a school or getting a new job, but it could prevent you from getting the highest salary possible.
If your lawyer is able to plea down your charges or gets them dismissed entirely, then you won’t have anything on your record at all.
10. Nothing to Lose
If you are innocent, then do everything in your power to prove it. A criminal charge can ruin your reputation and cost you thousands of dollars if you don’t follow the process. If you have a lawyer, then he or she can help present your case in the best possible way.
You may be able to get a reduction of your sentence and avoid the fines associated with the case. You’ll lose so much more if you’re not able to properly prove your innocence and have to serve time in prison.
Final Thought
In the United States, everyone should have access to legal representation. If you’re facing a criminal charge, then it’s necessary to be represented by a lawyer right away so you can get the best possible outcome.
Having a lawyer can help you prove your innocence and avoid having problems later on down the road. From plea deals to pre-trial motions, having a lawyer can help you avoid unnecessary problems. If you’ve been charged with a crime, you deserve a fair trial and a chance at freedom.
Make sure your side of the story is heard by choosing a lawyer who can best represent your case. Don’t delay in your search for defence representation, and be sure to take advantage of the opportunities available to you.