why do i need to hire a criminal lawyer

7 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Criminal Lawyer

1. They Understand the Judicial System. This reason should be topping every list, and yours should be no different. It...
2. You Don’t Know Much About the Laws That Apply to Your Case. While you understand the nature of the charges, that’s...
3. Preparing a Defence is Best Left in Skilled Hands. Knowing that you need...

Full Answer

Why is it important to hire a lawyer?

With an attorney on your side, they'll help explain all of the possible options and outcomes of your case beforehand, potentially helping you avoid severe penalties before a trial even begins. Hiring a lawyer sometimes helps you avoid possible legal headaches down the road.

Why do lawyers defend criminal?

Lawyers Must Provide Zealous Representation A strenuous defense is necessary to protect the innocent and to ensure that judges and citizens have the ultimate power to decide who is guilty of a crime. The U.S. Constitution ensures every citizen due process and the right to legal counsel.

What should you consider when hiring a lawyer?

5 Top Things to Consider When Hiring a LawyerSpecialization. The first thing you should consider when hiring an attorney is his or her area of specialization. ... Experience. Check the track record of the attorney before you hire. ... Location. ... Specifics about Billing and Representations. ... Ability To Convince You.

Why is criminal defense important?

Criminal defense attorneys perform a most important role in the American criminal justice system. They have a duty to their clients to ensure that those accused of a crime receive due process of law and enjoy every possible benefit from their talent that jus- tice allows.

Can you tell a lawyer your guilty?

If you tell your lawyer that you are guilty of a criminal offence, they can still represent you. However, if you wish to plead 'not guilty' then your lawyer cannot positively suggest that you did not commit the offence.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer?

You can pay anywhere from $50 to thousands per hour. Smaller towns and cities generally cost less while heavily populated, urban areas are most expensive. The more complicated the case and the more experienced the attorney, the more you'll pay. Lawyer fees can range from $255 to $520 per hour.

How much does it cost to talk to a lawyer?

The minimum for an hourly consultation is around PHP 1,000.00 outside of Metro Manila and PHP 2,500.00 in Metro Manila. The rate only goes higher depending on the lawyer. There is no standard rate for an hourly consultation so it is best to ask for the consultation fee before booking a consultation.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

Why do you need a criminal lawyer?

Trial is one of the most important reasons to hire a criminal lawyer. At a trial, the prosecutor will try to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Your criminal lawyer will try to create doubt by undermining the prosecutor’s case and by, sometimes, proving your innocence.

What to do when a criminal case is filed?

If criminal charges have been filed, your lawyer might also: Demand “discovery” (information that the law requires prosecutors to disclose). Issue “subpoenas” (court orders directing a person to produce evidence). You don’t have to passively wait for charges to be filed to begin an investigation. Knowledge is power.

What is an appeal in criminal law?

Appeal. Appeal is a process for challenging your conviction in a higher court, based on errors that the lower court made. Some criminal lawyers specialize in handling appeals. They’re called “appellate lawyers”. If you’re convicted, an appellate lawyer will scour “the record”, searching for errors.

What happens if a case isn't resolved at arraignment?

If your case isn’t resolved at arraignment, you could have any number of additional court appearances: from one to dozens. Along the way, your lawyer might try to: Negotiate a plea bargain.

What to do if you are arrested without notice?

If you’re unexpectedly arrested without notice, which is often the case, a friend or a family member might hire a lawyer to defend you at your arraignment while you’re in police custody. Court Appearance. Only minor criminal charges can be resolved at arraignment.

What is the process of arraignment?

Arraignment. Arraignment is the court process that begins a criminal case: You plead not guilty to criminal charges. If the Court doesn’t release you without bail, the Court sets a type of bail (cash, credit card, bail bond) and an amount of bail.

How to resolve a criminal case?

The vast majority of case are resolved by dismissal or plea bargain. However, your evaluation of the prosecutor’s ability to prove the charges will help you decide whether to accept a plea offer. So, even if you wish to avoid trial, your criminal lawyer must prepare for trial to get you the best possible plea bargain.

What happens if you save on your attorney?

If you save on your attorney today, you could lose your job tomorrow and lose everything. With a good lawyer, you are guaranteed to save money, and nerves in the long run, it’s almost guaranteed. 6.

How are criminal convictions different from traffic tickets?

Criminal convictions are different from traffic tickets. They have the power to impact quite a few areas of your life. It’s not just the time spent behind bars; you could find that your job prospects are limited in the future. There will be some places and some people that no longer want anything to do with you.

What is the last line of defense for a criminal case?

They Can Protect Your Future. Once you are on a court on criminal charges, your future is on the line. The last line of defense for it is the lawyer you hire. Be sure to pick the right one, the one that would fight for you and your future.

Can a lawyer see things?

A Lawyer Will See Things That You Overlook. Little things can mean a lot when it comes to beating criminal charges. There may be some minor details that you either overlook or don’t consider important. Fortunately, your lawyer will see things more objectively.

Do you know the laws that apply to your case?

You Don’t Know Much About the Laws That Apply to Your Case. While you understand the nature of the charges, that’s about it. The laws that are the basis for the charges are varied and something that you don’t fully understand. Even attempting to read them leaves you with more questions than answers.

Can a criminal lawyer understand the judicial system?

An individual with no previous experience could never understand the mechanism behind the judicial system. A criminal lawyer could do this, and thu s you can now understand why you need one. The legal system is made to work, but this doesn’t mean it is not a complicated one.

An Intimate Knowledge of the Judicial System

Navigating the legal system is an already difficult task, but having to do that while under the pressure of an arrest is something that you should not have to go through alone. The benefit of having an Orlando criminal defense lawyer is that they understand the legal system because they are a part of it and have to work within it every day.

Working Relationships With Prosecutors

It may seem counterintuitive that your criminal defense attorney has a good working relationship with the people they are opposing, but this is actually a vital part of the process. Think of it this way: getting your work is a lot easier when your co-workers cooperate, right? The same mentality goes for the criminal justice system.

Not Their First Case Like Yours

The most beneficial aspect of having an experienced criminal defense attorney is that they are going to have experience with cases similar to yours. While this may be the first time that you have ever had to deal with your particular case, chances are very good that your attorney has gone through cases similar to yours dozens of times.

Can Reduce Penalties You Face

Your entire future can be impacted by charges levied against you. Your job could be in jeopardy, and you may even be in danger of going to jail. The financial impact of an arrest is extensive and can continue to affect you for years to come.

Ultimately Save You Money

It can be easy to think that hiring a lawyer is going to be more expensive than simply going it alone. However, that is short-sighted thinking. When you consider the long-term view, you will see that not having an attorney can cost you much more than you expect. Think about the possibility of you losing your job.

Better Equipped to Assess Law Enforcement Conduct

Law enforcement has a duty to uphold certain procedures when they are processing an arrest. If they do not follow these proper procedures, this tarnishes your case.

Give You Possible Outcomes

A criminal defense attorney is first and foremost a strategist. This means that they can assess every aspect of your case and determine what possible outcomes are available given the evidence and circumstances presented.