Best Reasons to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, you may be considering hiring a criminal defense attorney to help you resolve your charges. Although you may have been told that you absolutely need a criminal defense attorney when facing criminal prosecution, here are seven reasons why everyone facing criminal charges should hire a criminal defense attorney.
Criminal Defense Attorneys Understand the System
You may not know what is involved in the criminal justice system, especially if you are facing charges for the first time. Although courts will explain your basic rights to you, only a criminal defense attorney can be a resource to help you fully understand the process. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will be intimately familiar with all the details of the court system and can guide you at each stage of your case.
Defense Lawyers Have Working Relationships with Prosecutors
Seasoned criminal defense attorneys will also have developed working relationships with the prosecutors handling your case. While you might be concerned about your lawyer having a positive relationship with someone trying to convict you of a crime, rest assured that your lawyer is always working to serve your best interests. But when your criminal defense attorney has a good working relationship with the prosecutors handling your case, they may be in a better position to negotiate favorable outcomes at each stage of your case, such as securing your release pretrial or reaching a plea deal that allows you to avoid the most serious consequences of your original charges.
Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney Who Has Handled Cases Like Yours
When hiring a criminal defense attorney, you should look to hire someone with experience handling cases like yours. This means looking for an attorney who has represented defendants that have faced the criminal charges that you are facing, and who has represented clients in the courthouse where your case will be heard.
A Lawyer Can Protect Your Reputation and Future
A criminal conviction can have a long-lasting impact on your future and your reputation. A conviction may mean a jail or prison sentence, while a criminal record may have an adverse impact on your ability to obtain employment, housing, loans, or educational opportunities. A criminal defense attorney can protect your future by having your charges reduced or even outright dismissed so that you can avoid long prison terms or a criminal record that can jeopardize your job or personal relationships.
An Attorney Can Save You Money in the Long Run
While it may not seem like paying a criminal defense attorney can save you money, having a lawyer who can help you avoid the serious consequences of a criminal conviction may have long-term financial benefits. Avoiding a conviction means not having to pay possible fines as part of a sentence. Not being convicted of a crime can also allow you to preserve your job and your future employment prospects.
A Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Protect You from Violations of Your Rights by Law Enforcement
Even when you have been charged with a crime, you still have legal rights. A criminal defense attorney can help make sure that police and prosecutors do not violate your rights in the process of investigating you or prosecuting you for a crime. If law enforcement has violated your rights, a criminal defense attorney may be able to get charges reduced or dismissed or have your case completely thrown out.
A Lawyer Can Help You Understand the Potential Outcomes in Your Case
Finally, a criminal defense attorney can help you maintain realistic expectations in your case. Although you may believe yourself to be innocent, your lawyer can review the details of your case and advise you as to the possible penalties you may face if convicted. This can help you evaluate the decision to either negotiate a plea deal or fight to maintain your innocence at trial.
Contact an Experienced Scotch Plains Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Charges in New Jersey
Were you arrested or charged in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even send you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC have successfully represented clients charged in Passaic, Wayne, Union, Plainfield, and throughout New Jersey. Call (908) 325-5571 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 1827 E. 2nd St., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076, as well as offices located in Westfield, Newark, East Brunswick, Clifton, Cherry Hill, and Elizabeth.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.