You’ve gotten into trouble with the law, and now you’re wondering if you should hire a criminal defense attorney. Is it worth the expense? What should you expect from your attorney? These are a few good questions that you deserve to have answered.
First, is a criminal defense attorney worth the expense? Absolutely. The attorney takes care of everything from filing paperwork with the courts to representing you if you go to trial. Your attorney negotiates on your behalf and works to protect your reputation.
You should expect your attorney to ask you for the truth, and you should be prepared to give it to him or her. Whether you’re guilty of a crime or not, your attorney needs to know to make sure he or she can protect you no matter what evidence or information comes forward. Your attorney should have experience working with plea bargaining and negotiating with the prosecution; the right experience makes a difference.
Your defense attorney shouldn’t be afraid to be realistic with you. If there’s a large chance that you will need to accept a guilty plea, then your attorney should tell you. Likewise, if the evidence is condemning, your attorney needs to make this clear to you, so you can work together to come up with a defense that works for your situation.
Maybe most importantly, your attorney needs to understand the nuances of the law to be able to identify when you’ve been the victim of bias or unfair practices. If your attorney can do these things and more, then you have a better chance of creating a strong defense.
Source: FindLaw, “What You Can Expect from the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer,” accessed Jan. 12, 2017