Preparing Your Defense With a Criminal Lawyer

If you've been charged with a crime, you need a criminal lawyer. There is no other way to put it. There is no sugarcoating it. Even the most prosecutorial-minded police officer will tell you that you do not want to go into court without legal representation. Having an attorney isn't just for those defendants who want to beat the rap. Even if you have no intention of presenting a defense, a good attorney can make sure your rights are upheld and protected. It is not advisable that you represent yourself as you go through the legal system. If you aren't sure about how to proceed, here is some information you may find useful.

Cost
One of the scariest prospects for many defendants is the concept of how they will pay for a criminal lawyer. It's true: attorneys are usually expensive. Unless you have considerable resources, it's only natural to wonder how you will pay for one. You're fortunate, however, in that the government has provided for just such an eventuality. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney, the court will provide one for no cost to you, depending on your financial circumstances. If you can afford to pay only a certain amount, the court will adjust the fees to match your abilities.

Drawbacks
While having a public defender is better than trying to represent yourself, there are drawbacks to going this route. Obviously, if you have no other choice, there's nothing to think about. Accept the public defender and be glad you have representation at all. If, however, you have the means to hire a private criminal lawyer, you might be better off doing that. A public defender is charged with representing you to the best of their ability, but that may be a low bar indeed. Not because the public defender is incompetent, but because they will likely be swamped with so many cases that they may be unable to provide you with a great deal of personal attention.

Hiring a Criminal Lawyer
If you've decided to pay for a private attorney, you've made a good decision. This is particularly true if you plan to proceed with a full defense against the charges. There are several methods for finding such an attorney. If you have any legal contacts, try talking to them. They may have someone they can recommend. You can also do research on the Internet to find attorneys in your area who specialize in your type of case. The more experience an attorney has in the type of defense you want to present, the better your chances of success.