Hiring an attorney can seem overwhelming and pricey. Lawyers are not cheap. Many people think they can successfully represent themselves at court and save money on attorney fees. You’ve watched enough Law & Order to know your way around a courtroom right?
Unless you are a lawyer yourself, or have knowledge of the legal system, it’s always in your best interest to hire a defense lawyer rather than representing yourself. Here’s why.
Connections
An experienced defense lawyer will have relationships with judges, prosecutors, and other legal professionals in their state (at least they should). These connections are very useful in getting things done and also when negotiating a plea for your case.
Strategy
The legal system is full of nuance. A defense lawyer is dedicated to knowing the ins and outs of the system and leading defendant’s through the legal maze. They will be able to advise you on certain options you probably didn’t even know you had.
Results
A defense lawyer is your greatest ally in the courtroom (even more dedicated than your family members). It is their duty to argue your defense to the best of their abilities and get you the best possible result in your criminal case.
Representing yourself in your own criminal matter may seem like a good way to save money, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, it could end up costing you more in fines (and jail time) than you would have paid an attorney to represent you.
