Why You Should Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’re facing misdemeanor or felony charges, there are many reasons why you should hire a criminal defense attorney like the Iyer Law Office in Denver, Colorado. First and foremost, a conviction could lead to a long prison sentence and massive fines, effectively destroying life as you know it. Fighting the legal system is a tough road, requiring an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney on your side.

Yes, you will have the opportunity to defend yourself or allow the court to assign a public defender to your case – these are rights granted to anyone who has been accused of a crime. However, it’s not likely that you have the intimate knowledge of the law needed to properly defend yourself, and you will not be able to pick your public defender. They may not be experienced defending the crimes you’ve been accused of, and depending on their caseload, they may not have enough time to focus on your case.

Bottom line? Charges with the possibility of severe punishment require the best representation. That’s why you should hire a criminal defense attorney who knows the law and the courtroom inside and out.

Whether you’ve been charged with a DUI, domestic violence, embezzlement or a sexual crime, a solid defense starts with the lawyer you choose. This person will review every detail of your case, prepare all the required paperwork, gather evidence, interview witnesses, argue your case in court, and defend you from erroneous allegations presented by the prosecution. It’s important that your attorney specializes in the crime you’re being accused of and has a successful record of defending their clients.

Now, once you hire a criminal defense attorney, they will work with you directly to develop a defense to prove your innocence and achieve a positive outcome. They will dissect the information and legalities pertaining to your case. Since no two cases are exactly alike, your lawyer’s job is to explore all possible arguments and develop strategies to lessen or refute the allegations being brought against you. They will then present this case in a convincing, deliberate manner in court. And if any surprises come up or new information is brought to light, a good attorney will be able to pivot and adjust course accordingly.

As you can see, once you hire a criminal defense attorney, there’s a lot they can do for you. Let’s look at a few more ways they can help with your case:

• Keep You Grounded in Reality – An ethical and honest attorney will tell you exactly how things work in a courtroom, what challenges you’re facing and what to expect as your case moves forward. They will make sure you’re aware of how the trial is progressing, whether good or not so good. While a criminal defense attorney will take the lead in defending you against the allegations, you should always feel like you have control and a clear idea of what’s going on.
• Provide Clear Legal Information – Both inside and outside of court, you will hear and read a lot of legal jargon. Your attorney will help translate everything so that you can clearly understand the implications and make decisions with full knowledge of your case and any relevant laws or legal precedent. As they develop your defense, your attorney will also explain each step and what avenues they are pursuing. Were your rights violated during the arrest? Is evidence from the prosecution not permissible? You should know exactly what it all means, legally and in the context of your case and trial.
• Advise You on Your Options – While an attorney will work tirelessly to defend you, it does not guarantee the best case scenario of walking free with all charges dropped. A good lawyer will be honest and explore a plea bargain option if they feel that the case against you is strong. They will then work with the prosecutor to reduce or even eliminate charges which could lead to a lesser sentence. A quick note – this is not always an option if you decide to defend yourself.
• Explain the Possible Consequences – As we said, when attorneys are able to work out a plea deal for their clients, criminal cases don’t make it to trial. At first, this might seem like the best possible outcome. However, when you hire a criminal defense attorney who has your best interests in mind, they will first explain what pleading guilty means – how it will affect your life, your ability to gain employment and more. This is especially relevant if you would be pleading guilty to a felony. Your lawyer will then support you in whatever choice you make.
• Prepare You for Court – Once your criminal case moves to a trial, there are both standard and unwritten rules of the courtroom that your attorney will prepare you for to ensure you make the right impression. They might run through practice questions, advise you on court etiquette, how to dress properly, even remind you to sit up straight and make eye contact. When you hire a criminal defense attorney, they will guide you through every step, every detail.
• Defend You Start to Finish – If you are found guilty, your attorney will then go to work on the sentencing portion of your case. Depending on the offense, you could be facing devastating penalties. Your lawyer may be able to work out a more agreeable sentence. Let’s say you’re convicted of a DUI and may be given up to a year in prison. Your attorney may be able to convince a judge to give you 6 months in prison and 6 months in a drug rehabilitation facility.

If you’ve been charged, don’t play roulette with your future. This is not television, it’s the real world with real consequences. Taking on defending yourself or hoping to get lucky with a public defender instead of hiring a criminal defense attorney only puts you at risk. At the Iyer Law Office in Englewood, Colorado, we’ll provide all the legal muscle you need. Our attorney, V Iyer, has experience on both sides of the table, prosecution and defense. He knows what it takes to defend you ethically and successfully.