Do I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?

Apr 6, 2016 | Criminal Defense

Are you facing criminal charges and wondering “do I need a criminal defense attorney?” Read this first before going to court alone.

Criminal Defense is Not a DIY Project

If you’re anything like me, you take a lot of pride in your “do-it-yourself” attitude. When it comes to things like home improvements, car repairs, or other jobs, you’d rather learn how to take care of it than pay someone to take care of it for you. With so much information available on the internet, you can pretty much figure out how to do anything yourself now.

After all, if your noble efforts fail, you can always call an electrician, plumber, or mechanic to finish the job.

Are You Willing to Accept the Full Penalties of a Conviction?

But what if the consequences of a bad “DIY” project included losing your job, spending years of your life behind bars, being separated from your family, and having a future hobbled by a criminal record you can never shake? You might think twice about trying to save a few bucks by taking on the project yourself.

If you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime in Colorado Springs, representing yourself can be one of the worst and riskiest decisions you could ever make. This is not the time to try to make things up as you go along. Here are just three reasons why you need to retain a Colorado Springs criminal defense attorney rather than try to defend yourself:

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

The rules and procedures that apply to a criminal case are lengthy, complicated, and can take years of training, education, and experience to master. The substantive law that could make the difference between freedom and jail can be complex and overwhelming or totally indecipherable.

Do you know what you should do and not do after you’ve been arrested to protect yourself or will you inadvertently doom your case? Do you know what the state must prove to gain a conviction in your case? Do you understand the defenses which may be available and how to properly assert those defenses? Do you know how to gather the evidence crucial to your defense or keep the prosecution’s evidence, tests, or testimony from being used against you?

If you don’t know any or all of those answers, you simply don’t know what you are doing, and even the smallest misstep could result in a life-changing conviction. A Colorado Springs criminal lawyer will know every nuance of the law, will understand the rules of evidence and procedure, and will pursue every possible angle to present the strongest possible defense.

You Could Get Steamrolled

You’re nothing special. What I mean by that is that judges see dozens of defendants appear before them every day. In an overburdened justice system, cases can and need to move fast. If you think a judge will be patient with you or cut you some slack because you’ve made the unwise decision to represent yourself, think again. Your ignorance of the law, procedural mistakes, or requests for more time will not be viewed kindly by extremely busy judges.

Your case will move fast, and your fate could be sealed before you even know what hit you. That won’t happen with a skilled criminal defense lawyer on your side. He or she won’t be steamrolled and will protect your rights every step of the way and ensure that the law works for you – not against you – to the fullest extent possible.

Conviction Will Cost You a Lot More Than Attorney’s Fees

How much is a year of your life worth? How about five years or 25 years? What is the value of being around to watch your children grow up? What is the cost of being unable to get a job, obtain a loan, drive your car, or even stay in the country? You may be concerned about how much hiring a Colorado Springs defense attorney will cost you but make no mistake – not hiring one can cost you a whole lot more.

Before You Say No to the Question “Do I need a criminal defense attorney?”

Speak to an attorney before you decide to go it alone.  There is no cost and no risk is scheduling a phone call and discussing your case with a criminal defense attorney.

I understand the concerns about how much a defense lawyer can cost. But I also know how absolutely critical it is for anyone charged with a crime to have the best criminal defense representation possible. That’s why I work closely with my clients to provide that representation at a fair and reasonable cost.

If you’re facing Colorado Springs criminal charges, saving your future is simply more important than saving a few dollars.

Request your free consultation with a criminal lawyer now.