There are two options when you’re accused of a crime in Sacramento and need to defend yourself in court. Either you try and defend yourself or you hire a professional criminal defense attorney. The former is tempting for those who are innocent, have a strong case, and want to save money. However, it’s not a good idea and could make things worse. Here are some of the reasons why you need an attorney and why self-representation is such a bad idea.
5 Reasons Why You Need A Criminal Defense Attorney
1) Protecting your rights
 You are entitled to certain rights from the moment you are arrested for a crime. You have the right not to say anything until you have a lawyer present and have legal representation. You are entitled to a fair case that’s handled lawfully and respectfully. An attorney can ensure those rights are met and not violated in ways you might not see. They can have your back to make the experience easier and stop you from accidentally incriminating yourself.
2) Building a case for trial
There is only so much you can do when preparing for a trial without a law school education and experience in a courtroom. You might know the case inside out because you lived it, but you don’t know how to compile the right evidence and follow procedures. An attorney will make sure to get everything they can on file, verify it, and deal with all potential witnesses. They will compile a strong case for your defense to get the best result.
3) Representing you in court
You can’t underestimate how important it is to have someone speaking on your behalf and presenting the evidence professionally. You will have someone who understands the court system and how to work with judges and juries instead of fighting against them. Furthermore, you will have someone in your corner who’s ready to fight for you and believes in you. That level of support and reassurance isn’t there when representing yourself.
4) Negotiating for the right result
This is where the best attorneys shine. Presenting the evidence and defending you from the prosecution is just the start. Eventually, they’re going to need to work their magic to get a positive result. Ideally, the judge will rule in your favor, throw out the case, and that’s it. However, there is the chance that you will have to endure some form of guilty verdict and punishment. Your attorney will be there to negotiate sentences and maybe work on some sort of plea bargain for a better deal. This could seriously reduce any jail time and fines, perhaps even leading to a suspended sentence or community service order.
5) Protecting your long-term future
A final reason for hiring a Sacramento criminal defense attorney is the need to protect your future self. It can be difficult to think about life beyond a court case, especially if there is the potential for a prison sentence. However, if your attorney wins and gets you acquitted, you will be free to go back to your old life. That’s easier said than done if you’re reputation and career have taken a blow in the process. The best criminal defense attorneys can soften that blow by helping you retain your job and any professional licenses. You may still need time to earn back trust, but you’ll be able to do so from a much stronger position.
3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Represent Yourself
To further highlight why anyone dealing with criminal charges needs an attorney, let’s look at some of the reasons why you shouldn’t represent yourself. It might seem like the easiest and most cost-effective solution right now, but it isn’t worth it. You could lose so much more in the long run without professional help than you will without it.
1) Inexperience
This one is pretty straightforward but also the one that will help defendants out the most. As tempting as it is to go up there and explain why you are completely innocent. that knowledge and your confidence in a not-guilty verdict aren’t enough. You’ll be dealing with prosecutors who have been in the industry for years and know every trick in the book. They will see your weaknesses and tear a case to shreds in minutes. Your inexperience means that you will have no preparation for their counterattacks and no plan B.
2) Subjectivity
This isn’t to say that criminal defense attorneys are heartless. They are just going to be able to keep their feelings, emotions, and reactions in check a lot better than you are. When the prosecution throws out an accusation about your character or past, they will be able to refer to the evidence and get past the trap without stumbling. You might get far too defensive and angry and put the case at risk. Don’t give them the chance to use your emotions against you.
3) Adaptability
Tying in with the last point. Expert attorneys are highly adaptable. They can play a case and an opponent like a game of chess and anticipate moves. They will have a response and a way to bring the case back on track. You can go into a case completely prepared to answer questions and explain actions. But what if there’s last-minute evidence, witnesses, or other complications? How are you going to handle that?
Always Work With A Criminal Defense Attorney
The bottom line here is that you are going to put yourself at much greater risk if you represent yourself than if you hire a professional attorney. It might not come cheap, but it will be worth the cost if it means you escape prison or large fines.
That expert attorney will do their best to get the best result possible, even if that means negotiations and plea bargains. Their experience and knowledge about handling these cases outshine your understanding of the case in question. They are better equipped and prepared for this than you’ll ever be. Swallow your pride and get that representation.
