6 Reasons to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney
They are familiar with the law
Minnesota’s laws are written by our Legislature, and not always clearly. To be guilty of a crime, a defendant must be guilty of every single element of the charged crime. Without representation, it is hard for a non-lawyer to make sure the State really does their job in proving all elements beyond a reasonable doubt.
They are familiar with the court
Most criminal defense attorney’s practice in a pretty local geographical area. Most are familiar with the prosecutors, and the judges. It is helpful to know the different personalities of prosecutors and judges with whom you’ll interact as your case proceeds through the justice system.
There are often collateral consequences
Like every purchase, hiring an attorney requires some type of cost-benefit analysis. But it’s important to know the actual cost of hiring an attorney, and it is equally important to know the potential cost of going at it alone. Too often, collateral consequences on employment, parenting, driving, and other basic liberties are impugned when a defendant doesn’t have a lawyer to help them understand the collateral consequences that attach when convicted of a crime.
You have constitutional rights
Criminal Courts are governed by rules of procedure. I’ve seen criminal defendants try to represent themselves, unfamiliar with the procedure and the standards of the court. After being arrested they unwittingly forgo essential rights (mainly the right to remain silent) long before the case is ever before a jury. A defense attorney, alternatively, does the talking for you, and, more importantly, knows how and when to communicate.
Attorney-client privilege
Being charged with a crime is a scary thing. The state will mount the strongest case possible against you. They will call witnesses, your friends, even your family to testify if necessary. One person they can’t call to testify against you is your attorney. Sharing all the details of a case is critically important for an attorney to represent a client effectively, but it can also be therapeutic for the client to have someone to confide in.
They want to help
Many criminal defense attorneys, like me, come from diverse backgrounds from within the criminal justice system. Most of us end up doing this type of work because we want to make sure people are protected from false, inaccurate, or exaggerated information that doesn’t rise to the level of a criminal offense. As a solo practitioner, I choose my clients strategically after determining that (1) they need help; and (2) I can help. That is truly the way I can help protect people and the integrity of the criminal justice system.