You may not worry about having a criminal defense attorney until the urgent need comes to hire one. If you are in a criminal case, you face severe penalties, including incarceration. You have the legal right to obtain counsel to argue on your behalf. However, instead of having a public defender, you should choose your own New Jersey lawyer. There are advantages to using this approach as you work to get a favorable outcome with your case.
An attorney is to be a client’s representative in court — someone who can speak on their behalf. In criminal cases, the lawyer will fight for the client’s rights and try to convince a jury of the person’s innocence. The attorney might even argue for the judge to drop the case altogether or reduce the charges. During the proceedings, the defense attorney will interview witnesses. The lawyer will also cross-examine the witnesses that the prosecution has. The client’s legal team will also look at the evidence the state has gathered and try to invalidate it.
All defendants have the Constitutional right of legal representation in a criminal case. When a client cannot afford to hire an attorney, or if the person chooses not to hire one for whatever reason, the court will provide legal counsel. A benefit of hiring a criminal defense attorney is that it is entirely the client’s choice. The individual can carefully research different lawyers. There will be a chance for the client to examine the lawyers’ qualifications, history, and skills.
The client may even consult with different candidates before deciding which one to select. Many firms allow for free consultations. By choosing an attorney, the client can be more comfortable with the decision. The client can start to build a relationship of trust with an attorney they hire.
Typically, a private criminal defense attorney will have a smaller caseload than a public defender. A court-appointed lawyer will usually represent multiple clients at a time, while one a person chooses will not. Because of this, a private lawyer can spend more time on the person’s case. The lawyer has more time to interview people, look at the evidence, and build an effective strategy.
When a client hires a criminal defense attorney, that professional will ordinarily have other people working on the case. The lawyer may have a paralegal, research clerk, and even other attorneys on the staff working to get the right outcome. Public defenders will not have such support. The attorney the court appoints, therefore, may not be as thorough or have the opportunities a lawyer in private practice will have.
Your criminal case will have long-term consequences, so you need someone to represent you that you know has your interests at heart. While hiring a lawyer does not necessarily mean that you will have more success getting the result you want with your case, there are clear advantages. You do not want to shortchange yourself by missing out on having the right criminal defense attorney on your side. Call an attorney today if you need a legal advocate.
Call us at (417) 865-2181 for more information from Dean Price Law or to schedule a consultation in our office in Springfield. NOTE: This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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