You’ve just been arrested and you’re in a real pickle explains William D King. You need an attorney, pronto! But how do you select the best one? And what exactly is expected of you in this relationship? How to represent yourself in court?
This article will help you understand when and why you should retain legal counsel and how much it’s going to cost.
Why hire a lawyer?
No matter how tough (on the outside) and smart (on the inside) you are, there is no way that anyone could possibly defend himself or herself against criminal charges without knowledge of criminal law. Not only does criminal law vary from state to state; it differs significantly within states as well. A person who has never studied these laws simply does not know the intricacies of the criminal justice system.
For example, there is no uniform set of rules guiding police procedures across the United States. The only way to avoid illegally obtained evidence is to know exactly what’s allowed and what’s prohibited by your state’s search and seizure laws. Anyone who doesn’t know these laws could easily find themselves convicted because of mishandled evidence that might otherwise have been excluded from court proceedings says, William D King.
Much information about criminal law, police procedures and trial strategies can be found in books or on the Internet. But you may want to retain legal representation anyway. Lawyers are often privy to inside tips; they also build strong working relationships with prosecutors. And judges that enable them to get lesser charges or better deals for their clients.
But what if you can’t afford an attorney?
In that case, do not be discouraged from representing yourself in court. You have a right to defend yourself. And chances are good that the judge will provide you with some type of free assistance. You may ask a colleague or a friend for help gathering information. The local library should contain books on criminal law and the criminal justice system in your state.
If all else fails, attend a few pretrial hearings without hiring counsel so you can see how things work before going to trial. If it turns out that an attorney is absolutely necessary to successfully fight your charges, then go ahead and hire one when you’re financially capable of doing so.
What will an attorney expect from you?
The first thing your attorney will want to know is how you met the charges against you explains William D King. Do not make any assumptions; be sure to be totally honest with your attorney. If you say, “I got pulled over for speeding,” and it turns out that you were actually swerving across lanes while driving drunk, both of you could end up in serious trouble (or dead), instead of only one of you.
Your lawyer might also ask if anyone else was present when the incident occurred. Your answer should always include everyone who had anything at all to do with or see what happened, no matter how seemingly unimportant they are. For example, if your friend dropped you off at home after a party and stayed in the car outside while she waited for you; she is technically a witness and should be named as such.
Do not withhold any information from your lawyer; she can’t help you if she doesn’t have all the facts. And remember, anything you say to your attorney is confidential. You can tell her things that you would never tell the police or anyone else. This trust is essential in order for your defense to be successful.
Now that you know when and why to hire an attorney, as well as what to expect from him or her, you’re ready to take on the criminal justice system!
Remember, an attorney is essential in order for your defense to be successful. If you can’t afford one, don’t worry – there are plenty of resources available to you. The most important thing is, to be honest with your lawyer and to not withhold any information.
Conclusion:
Now that you know when and why to hire an attorney, as well as what to expect from him or her, you’re ready to take on the criminal justice system! Remember, an attorney is essential in order for your defense to be successful. If you can’t afford one, don’t worry – there are plenty of resources available to you explains William D King. The most important thing is, to be honest with your lawyer and not withhold any information.