Strictly speaking, you do not need an attorney if you’ve been charged with a crime. The law allows for a person to represent themselves in court. However, unless you’ve simply been charged with a speeding ticket, attending a criminal court hearing without a lawyer would be a terrible idea.
While the average person may have knowledge of what is legal or illegal, they likely have little insight in regards to courtroom proceedings or legal defenses. Only an experienced attorney has this knowledge, thanks to years of law school and legal experience. Simply put, if you’ve been charged with a crime, hiring an expert criminal defense lawyer in Columbia is necessary if you want to win your case.
What a Criminal Attorney Can Do for You
The most important thing an attorney can do for you is hear your side of the story. Once the attorney fully understands the situation, they can provide a clear and compelling defense for the crimes you’ve been charged with.
Once your attorney understands the situation, they can begin informing you of your options in court. Additionally, a seasoned attorney has almost certainly tried a case before the court that is similar to yours and will understand all of the probable defenses to the crime.
For example, if you’ve been charged with assault, one possible defense is to claim that you acted in self-defense to protect yourself or a third party. With the right attorney in your corner, it may be possible to get your charges fully dismissed before they ever go to trial, provided your attorney can find a way to convince the judge or prosecutor to drop the charges.
Will a Lawyer Win My Case?
How often defense attorneys win depend on many factors; some cases simply aren’t winnable. If there is overwhelming evidence of a crime and you’ve been caught red-handed, winning may not be possible. However, winning a case is just one option when it comes to what a criminal lawyer does for their clients.
It’s important to not completely lose hope and forego an attorney. In cases such as these, winning isn’t necessarily the goal. The primary purpose of these proceedings is to minimize the damage to yourself, in terms of both finances and prison sentences.
This can be accomplished in a number of ways; for example, an attorney may be able to secure a plea deal in which you agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge that carries fewer penalties than the original crime you were charged with. While you will still have a mark on your criminal record, it will have less impact on your ability to get a job or rent an apartment in the future.
Striking deals with judges and prosecutors is not the only thing an attorney can do. As mentioned above, sometimes, the case simply cannot be won–but it may be argued that your crime doesn’t fit the definition of what you’ve been charged with. The goal here is to get the charge reduced to a lesser crime. Once the charge has been reduced, a further plea deal can be struck to secure a lighter punishment when it comes time for sentencing.
Get the Best Representation From Strom Law
Hiring a criminal attorney to represent you in court takes a huge weight off your shoulders. Simply knowing that someone is willing to hear your side of the story and professionally argue your case in court is a great relief to many defendants.
With the right attorney on your side, your case is sure to fare far better in the courtroom than if you attempt to go to court alone. The experts at Strom Law have expertise across the entire spectrum of criminal law, and we’ll make sure you get the best possible outcome for your case.
