If you’ve been accused of a crime, you need a criminal defense lawyer to help you build a defense and represent you in a court of law. But many people are confused about the process of selecting and hiring a criminal defense lawyer.
At what point should you consider hiring one, and how should you go about the process?
The Short Answer: As Early as Possible
You should generally contact a criminal defense lawyer, like PkatzLegal, as soon as you can. The moment you suspect that you might be in legal trouble, you should immediately start looking for a criminal defense lawyer who can represent you. If you’ve committed a significant crime, or believe that you’ve committed a significant crime, it might be worth talking to an attorney before any charges are filed against you. If you’ve been arrested under suspicion of committing a crime, regardless of whether or not you’ve actually committed it, you should immediately contact an attorney.
Keep in mind that hiring a criminal defense lawyer is something that all guilty people should do – but it’s even more important for innocent people to do, if they’re under suspicion of committing a crime. Wrongful convictions are surprisingly common in this country, and many of them can be prevented with good legal representation. Don’t trick yourself into thinking you don’t need a lawyer just because you’re innocent.
Why a Criminal Defense Lawyer Is So Important
Why is a criminal defense lawyer so important to hire early?
· Helping you understand. A good criminal defense lawyer will help you understand the charges against you and the legal system. They can help you understand the phases of criminal proceedings, the weight of the charges against you, and what you should expect from this process moving forward. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and confused, a lawyer will help you feel better.
· Providing legal counsel. Arguably the most important role of a lawyer is providing you with legal counsel. When the police ask you questions, a lawyer can advise you on how to answer them appropriately. If you’re not sure what to do in a given situation, a lawyer can direct you.
· Protecting your rights. Your criminal defense lawyer is also going to work to protect your rights. Even if you’ve been arrested after obviously committing a heinous crime, you still must be processed correctly and in a way that respects your personal rights as an American citizen. A good criminal defense lawyer will call out inappropriate or illegal behavior during and after your arrest.
· Gathering evidence. A lawyer will be able to help you gather evidence in your favor. They can help you secure alibis, witness statements, and other forms of evidence to build your case.
· Building a defense. In the background, your lawyer will be working diligently to help you build a defense. There are many potential defenses to criminal charges, such as challenging evidence against you, providing contradictory evidence, or even pointing out flaws in how you were arrested or processed.
· Offering support. Many criminal defense lawyers will also offer you a line of support. They understand how stressful and challenging it is to be in this position, so they’re often willing to help you through it on a personal level.
· Negotiating on your behalf. If it makes sense to negotiate a plea bargain, your lawyer can represent you in those negotiations. A good lawyer may be able to reduce the sentence on the table so you serve less time than you would otherwise.
· Representing you in trial. If your case makes it to trial, your lawyer will represent you in court. They’ll be responsible for presenting evidence, arguing in your favor, and helping you get the best possible outcome.
What to Do in the Meantime
What should you do in the meantime?
· Stay silent. You have a right to silence, so fully utilize it. It’s true that anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, so you’re better off not saying anything until your lawyer advises you otherwise.
· Insist on your right to an attorney. You have a right to an attorney, so insist on that right away if necessary. Don’t allow police officers to talk you out of it.
· Be polite and respectful. Throughout the process, remain polite and respectful with law enforcement officers. Resisting officers or treating them poorly will not help you in the slightest.
· Remain patient. This is a challenging process, and often a long one. Try to remain patient and take things one day at a time.
The sooner you hire a criminal defense lawyer, the better. Hopefully, you’ll never be in a position to need one, but if you find yourself facing criminal charges, there’s truly no substitute.
