When you are charged with a crime, you may be completely overwhelmed with feelings of anger, shame, and guilt. You may feel that you can handle the situation independently, but this is probably not the case. A criminal defendant faces serious, long-lasting consequences when convicted of a crime. If you have been charged with a crime, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and freedom.
Understanding a Criminal Case
In a criminal case, there are two sides—the prosecution and the defense, each represented by an attorney appointed by the state. Neither side is supposed to have a financial advantage in their representation; however, one side often has considerably more funding than the other. This is likely to be your situation, as the prosecution will have a much larger budget than your own legal team.
The prosecution will bring forward evidence that could land you in jail for years, so it is important to have skilled representation. It is a good idea for you to get help from an experienced lawyer who can help you understand the process, develop your defense and make an argument in your favor at trial.
The Impact of a Criminal Case
Even if you are innocent, a criminal prosecution can wreak havoc on your life. If you are being investigated for a crime, you should strongly consider hiring legal services. Speaking with an experienced criminal defense team can help you decide whether or not to hire a lawyer and help you make decisions about your case as it progresses.
Depending on the charge you face, you may miss weeks to years of employment. Finding another may be difficult if you lose your job, so there's additional time without income.
If it's a felony charge, you may never get another opportunity for employment that's as good as your previous job. You might even lose the right to vote or own a firearm. And if you do manage to find a new job, it probably won't pay as well as what you were earning previously.
If you have dependents, like a spouse and children, they could suffer financially if they lose your income while you're serving time in jail or paying off fines and court costs.
As much as you might want to handle this problem yourself, the potential consequences are simply too great to take that chance. The cost of private legal representation is often considerably less than the cumulative impact of losing your job and having no income for even a few months. It could be far less than the difference between being charged with a misdemeanor rather than a felony.
Why Representing Yourself Is Never a Great Idea
It's tempting to save money by representing yourself. But in many cases, it's not a good idea. Your first instinct may be to save money if you're charged with a minor crime such as a traffic violation. However, when you consider the potential consequences, representing yourself is usually not worth it.
The following are some reasons why hiring a criminal defense lawyer is usually the best option:
You can't use your time effectively.
Even if you have never been involved in the judicial system before, you are probably intimidated by it now that you are on the other side of the table. Even if you feel like you know the law and want to represent yourself, an experienced lawyer has experience and knowledge that will enable him or her to present your case more effectively than you can.
You won't know what's going on.
If you've never been in legal trouble before, it's very easy to get overwhelmed by the process and the terminology associated with it. A criminal defense attorney will be familiar with the court system and procedures involved with your case, as well as the likely penalties for a conviction. They can help you understand why certain functions are taking place, and what's likely to happen next.
You don't know the law.
Even if you have a great understanding of criminal law in your state and think that you could apply those laws to your specific case, there are still nuances and other factors involved that could trip you up and make things worse than they really are. The fact is, being familiar with the law is not enough — you need to know how the law applies to your specific situation, which requires experience within this field.
A good lawyer can win your case.
A good lawyer knows what evidence to present and what arguments will work in your favor. Even if your case seems relatively straightforward on its face, there could be extenuating circumstances that will determine whether or not you prevail at trial. A good attorney knows where to find those details and how they might affect your trial outcome.
You can't present yourself in court as effectively as a professional attorney can represent you.
Do you know how to handle a legal proceeding? Most people don't have any experience with criminal court proceedings; they're confusing even for lawyers. A good lawyer knows how to deal with judges, prosecutors, and other courtroom participants in ways that most laypeople don't. For example, they know what kinds of arguments work with judges and which kinds are likely to backfire.
The Higher Costs of Not Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer
A conviction can profoundly affect your life, affecting your ability to get a job, take out loans, and even live in certain areas. A criminal defense attorney can help you fight for the best possible outcome.
Here are some common costs that come with a conviction:
Fines and Fees
A conviction is a permanent mark on your record. A misdemeanor conviction can cost you thousands in court fines and fees and an additional three years in jail if the offense is a violent one. The judge may fine you at the time of sentencing, or you may have to pay additional fees after you've been convicted. These fines and fees can be expensive, especially if you're struggling to make ends meet. You may also have to pay court costs, which are assessed by the state or local government. For example, courts may charge you a filing fee when you file a motion asking for a new trial.
Incarceration
This is the most obvious cost of being convicted. Whether it's jail or prison, it means one thing — you'll be paying money instead of earning it while serving time behind bars. If you are convicted and sentenced to incarceration, there's also the cost of serving time behind bars. Depending on where and what level of prison you are sentenced to, these costs can be astronomical. A criminal conviction can cost you far more than just money; it can also impact your freedom and even the relationships in your life.
Trial Costs
If a lawyer does not represent you, then you have to pay for all of the expenses associated with your case. These expenses can include:
Court filing fees, anywhere from $150 - $400 depending on the county in which you are filing (you might have to file in multiple counties)
Expert witness fees
Expert witness fees Depositions
Recording costs
There is also a possibility that you could face damages if your case goes to trial. If the jury decides that you are guilty of some charges, they could order that you pay the other side's attorney's fees and out-of-pocket costs. This means that if they win their case against you, they can make your losses even worse with an additional judgment against you. In addition to these things, there might be some emotional damages involved as well. For example, if a jury finds that one party was negligent, then there could be an award for pain and suffering as well as emotional damages.
Other Impacts of Not Working With a Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you do not hire a lawyer, you will likely be found guilty.
If you are convicted of a crime, you could go to jail, pay a fine and/or be placed on probation.
If you are convicted of a felony, you will have to register as a sex offender.
If the crime is sexual in nature, the media may get involved, and your name may be released to the public.
You may have difficulty finding or keeping a job.
You may become ineligible for certain federal aid programs such as student loans or grants and scholarships.
Takeaway
Trying to handle your criminal defense will be very difficult because you will be dealing with both emotional issues and complex legal issues. In addition, you need to hire an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights. If you wait too long and do not hire an attorney, it will be much more difficult for them to help you.