I’m thinking about hiring a criminal defense attorney, but do I really need to?

First, I hope anyone who is reading this never has to ask this question. If you do, it probably means that you or someone you know has been charged with driving under the influence or charged with committing some sort of crime. If this is the case, then you should hire an experienced Clearwater, Tampa, Pasco, or Hernando criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

There are many reasons why you need an experienced criminal defense attorney working aggresively for you. First, they will know your rights with regards to the crime charged. For example, in a DUI stop (or any traffic stop) there are many “rules” the police must follow to gather evidence against you. If they “cut corners” or do not follow the “rules” in a certain way, they may end up violating your rights and your experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to have certain evidence tossed out of court, therefore severely weakening the State’s case against you. Additionally, if you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney early on, he or she may be able to protect you throughout law enforcement’s investigating stage, ensuring that you will not unknowingly incriminate yourself or make any mistakes that could be damaging to your case later on.

Basically, an experienced criminal defense attorney will know how to defend you in court. He or she will know how and what to say to Judges, Juries, and Prosecutors. Also, an experienced criminal defense attorney will know the pertinent law regarding your charge inside and out, and will know how to use it to your advantage.

The most common argument that arises when hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney is that they are expensive. While it is true that an effective, experienced criminal defense attorney will be somewhat expensive, the value you will receive is in the service they provide. For example, how much is it worth to not have a conviction on your record? Or, how much is it worth not to have to spend months, maybe years, away from your family and friends, when you are possibly facing prison or jail time? For many people, the cost of hiring an effective, experienced criminal defense attorney is a good investment when compared to the possibility of expensive fines, jail time, and other consequences of a criminal conviction.

Before you try to cut corners, or go to court alone, at least consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. One of the worst mistakes someone can make is attempt to represent themself against criminal charges that could ultimately impact your life for years to come.