Hiring a Criminal Lawyer: 3 Benefits of Doing So

If you are being charged with a crime, it can seem as though the whole world is suddenly against you. Though we have a legal instruction in America that tells jurors that defendants are to be seen as innocent until proven guilty, this is not a standard by which you will be treated by prosecutors and police. As far as they are concerned, you are guilty and they aim to do whatever is in their power to see that you are punished for it. Going it alone in this situation is a mistake. At the very least, take the representation afforded you by the state. Better yet, hire a criminal lawyer. Here are three benefits of doing so.

You Are Represented

When you go before the judge or the jury, a career attorney -- sometimes more than one -- represents the state. Who represents you? Yourself? A public defender? Here's the thing about the public defender. While better than no one, your attorney is not going to devote a fraction of the time to your case that the prosecutor will be devoting to his side of it. Even if you happen to have the most skilled PD in the country, do you really think he's going to pull out all the stops to defend you? The prosecutors are his coworkers! Do yourself a favor, hire a private criminal lawyer, and make sure you are well represented in the courtroom.

Legal Knowledge

When you're sitting at home (or in jail) awaiting your trial, it can be difficult to keep up with the proceedings. You may have very little idea of what is happening, especially if you have no background in the law (as most people don't). Trying to apply what your cousin has to say about the process or what you've gathered from movies isn't going to help much. When you hire a criminal lawyer, you have someone who can explain every single thing that is happening behind the scenes, prepare you for what to expect, and strategize with you about the best way to defend yourself.

Support

Many individuals facing charges are without a support system. Some find that their so-called friends turn their backs once the hammer comes down. This can be a lonely, frightening time. While a criminal lawyer makes for an expensive friend in these circumstances, it is immensely helpful to have at least one person whom you know is on your side.