Did you know that there are as many Americans who have a criminal record as there are Americans with a college degree?
If you've suddenly found yourself faced with a court date and finances are tight, you're definitely not alone in this plight.
Unfortunately, the truth is, trying to represent yourself in court will most likely end up costing you tens of thousands more in the long run, on top of a loss in your case.
If you're not convinced of the importance of having criminal lawyers in court to represent you, here are 7 reasons legal help is absolutely essential.
1. Protect Your Finances
As mentioned, one of the most common reasons people decide to represent themselves in court is to try and save money. Legal aid can be expensive, but the fact of the matter is, opting out of professional help is far more costly in the long run.
Think about it this way, if you know nothing about cars, would it be wise to try and diagnose a car problem, understand the tools and the complexity of the systems, and then attempt to fix those problems on your own?
Not really… you'd probably end up damaging your car or it's parts thus costing you more to fix things than it would have.
It's no different with legal issues. In fact, it's far more imperative to seek experienced professionals who have all the proper tools and know-how. This will protect you from creating costly problems for yourself, or worse, losing your case due to lack of know-how.
2. The Law is Deeply Complex
You may be the greatest “Law and Order” fan in the world, but simply possessing a basic understanding of courtroom procedures won't cut it when it comes to winning an actual case.
The law is deeply complex. That's why most lawyers attend at least 3-4 years of school after their bachelor's just to get a law degree. Not to mention all the study that goes into passing the bar exam and becoming an experienced attorney.
A Youtube tutorial and “Law for Dummies” crash course won't cut it. Don't risk your freedom or livelihood. Get an expert to help you.
3. Proper Paperwork That Protects Your Case
Did you know that your case can be thrown out if you simply don't have the proper paperwork filed at the right time?
If you're not an experienced attorney, you may be unaware of the legal deadlines and proper protocol for filling out the paperwork needed to present a case. A single incorrect or late filing could easily cost you your case.
At the very least, it could cause your case to be derailed or delayed.
For example, if you're fighting a personal injury case, you'll want to specifically ask a personal injury lawyer about what paperwork is necessary. The requirements will depend on your case and only an expert will know what you need.
4. Obtain Witness and Expert Advice
One of the many great perks about hiring an experienced attorney is the network of other professionals they have at their fingertips to help you fight and win your case.
Unless you've spent years in law, you likely don't have the contacts or connections with expert witnesses that could help you represent yourself successfully. Such contacts are an asset as they can help challenge the opposition's evidence or testimony.
Hiring an experienced attorney is like getting your own personal arsenal of professional and expert advice and help so you're not left in the dark.
5. Professional Help Challenging Evidence
Great attorneys, even mediocre attorneys, will be better equipped than the average Joe at recognizing whether important pieces of evidence used against you were properly obtained.
Your attorney can find out whether that evidence was obtained legally, handled properly, and presented correctly to be able to stand against you.
Lawyers have training on how to challenge evidence so you can be protected from wrongful accusations or unfair statements.
6. Negotiation of Plea Bargains or Settlements
If you hire an attorney who is experienced handling cases similar to yours, they will probably be able to make an educated guess on how things will be resolved. This is another major benefit to you in the case that you need to settle or negotiate a plea bargain.
Sometimes a lawyer can help you save a truckload of money and headache by agreeing on a settlement. This prevents you from having to ever go to court as you can resolve things beforehand.
Hiring a good attorney means you'll have someone who knows how to negotiate a fair settlement so you're not left getting the short end of things and losing more than you should.
Knowing what your options for plea bargains also means that you can avoid unnecessary jail time or financial consequences. People with basic legal understanding can miss great opportunities to avoid unpleasant and unnecessary consequences.
7. Defend Your Strongest Case
There are far more than two options, guilty or not guilty when it comes to pleading your case. Admitting fault or pleading guilty doesn't have to be your only choice, even if it seems like there's no chance you could win.
A professional attorney can educate you on all the available options for plea bargains and more.
Having a lawyer who understands all the roads you could take will protect you from suffering potentially serious penalties. Trying to represent yourself could land you with greater fines, more consequences, or more jail time than you'd ever have needed to suffer.
Do yourself a favor and find a real attorney who can help you.
Do I Really Need a Lawyer in Court?
The answer to this question will always be a resounding, “yes!” Having a lawyer in court to represent you is essential if you want to win or protect yourself from burdensome financial penalties or other unnecessary punishments.
Don't let the fear of hiring a lawyer or seeking legal advice keep you from seeking help. Most attornies will offer a free consultation to get you started.
For more self-help hacks and ideas, browse the rest of our blog.
