3 Reasons To Hire A Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being charged with a crime can be overwhelming. After being charged, you might find yourself put on paid or even unpaid leave from your job. You may be forced to find a new place to live due to the charge or the change in salary. You might even feel confused about what to do next. In most cases, the single best thing you can do in this situation is hire a criminal defense lawyer. It might seem complicated, but it can help give you the best possible outcomes. Here are some reasons to consider hiring a criminal defense lawyer according to our friends at Tuttle Law, P.A.:

• It gives you the benefit of extensive law experience. While you have the option of either representing yourself or using a public defender, it is typically better to hire a criminal defense lawyer. Chances are you are not a lawyer and therefore it can be difficult for someone to adequately represent themselves given the intricacies of our legal system. Furthermore it is easy to accidentally self-incriminate. A public defender might seem like a good option, especially since it is free, but the old adage “you get what you pay for” comes to mind. Often public defenders are either inexperienced or overloaded with cases–maybe both. You need a defense attorney that has time to get to know the ins and outs of you, your case, and can devote the time and attention needed to get you the best possible outcome.
• It gives you access to additional resources. You might think when you hire a defense attorney that you just get an attorney, but this is often not the case. When necessary, attorneys can also assist clients with additional resources, such as a private investigator that can gather crucial evidence to build their client’s case. The attorney can also interview witnesses themselves to gather more evidence. Witnesses tend to be more open to discussing the details of the incident with an attorney or investigator, rather than the defendant directly.
• It gives you someone on your side. Your attorney is hired by you and therefore working for your best interests. Attorney’s often get a window, not just into the alleged crime, but the complexities of the situation and the whole person. The attorney is then able to use this more complex picture when defending the client during the trial. They can develop an individual strategy for your particular case and also spend time analyzing the prosecutor’s possible strategies so as to develop a way to counter. Furthermore lawyers often know the local court system and the various judges. They may be able to advise you on strategies, statements or quirks of the various justices in your district.

If you find yourself in the situation of being charged with a criminal offense, do not wait. Contact a lawyer today because an attorney will have experience navigating the criminal justice system and can provide you with advice for the next steps in your particular case.