The criminal justice system is an overwhelming place, especially, if you find yourself dead smack in the middle of it.
You might wonder if representing yourself is a good idea. Maybe you don’t have enough money for a good attorney. Perhaps you feel your offense isn’t that severe. Or perhaps you watch a lot of crime and court shows and think, how hard could it really be?
I mean after all, who knows your story better than you, right?
It might give you a sense of empowerment to take charge, but representing yourself in a criminal case often leads to serious consequences.
Why?
Because the courtroom is no place for guesswork or trial-and-error.
Are The Stake Too High Representing Yourself?
A conviction in a criminal case can be life-altering and carry heavy consequences including jail or prison time, huge fines, a long criminal record, even the forfeiture of things such as voting rights, gun ownership or professional licenses.
Others face losing parental rights or deportation if convicted, even if they’re not U.S. citizens.
All your decisions – from signing a plea to whether or not to testify – could be long-term.
Taking on these high-stakes situations without a legal expert on your side is a big gamble.
How so?
You see messing up early, like not handling the charges correctly at your first court appearance, can land you with tougher bail conditions or even keep you in custody before trial.
The Legal System Is Complex
The law is not logical to the layperson. It’s chock-full of complicated rules, processes, and deadlines that have to be obeyed.
By failing to meet one deadline or filling in forms in the wrong way, your whole case is on the line.
There is no support, no pardon from the court or prosecutor’s office for self-defendants.
Making errors such as presenting the evidence wrong, not understanding how to cross-examine witnesses, or not objecting to an inadmissible item can do you some real harm.
Keep in mind that successful criminal lawyers train for years in the courtroom, how to play the game, and how to apply the law and case law.
Without this expertise, you may not even know the full range of defenses available to you.
For instance, did you know that certain evidence can be suppressed if obtained unlawfully? Or that expert witnesses can be called to support your case?
These are nuances that a trained attorney will know how to leverage.
Facing Your Opponent
Attorneys are eminent lawyers with one goal in mind: convict someone. They know the courtroom tricks and your state laws.
When you self-represent yourself, you’re going into the ring against an experienced competitor with no tools or preparation whatsoever. And this unlevel playing field is not one on which you wish to put your future.
Working on your own case may sound appealing and cost efficient but the stakes are way too great. A conviction can cost you your life, your livelihood, and your sanity.
If you hire an experienced criminal attorney, you will have a professional who understands the law, and gets you the best possible deal.
Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact our offices today!