The average cost of hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer ranges from $150 to $700 an hour. This figure can rise depending on the amount of time a trial takes and the efforts undertaken by the lawyer building your defense. Other lawyers opt to charge a flat rate which could save the eventual cost.
If you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime, you probably need the immediate assistance of a criminal defense lawyer.
It’s advisable that you get a lawyer as soon as you realize you are on the wrong side of the law in order to get the lawyer rolling with the case.
In this article, we will explore the various circumstances in which you should seek a criminal defense attorney.
Civil vs Criminal Cases
Finding yourself in need of representation in a court of justice can be a confusing moment. First of all, not all appearances in a court of law are criminal. You can be taken to court for a civil case. These include bankruptcy, debts, and commercial disputes.
Criminal cases are more severe and punitive compared to civil disputes. Civil matters can be sorted out of court. Meanwhile, criminal cases are either determined by a way of paying a fine or by serving a jail-term for a specified period.
The best way to understand the difference between the two types of cases is by knowing who is on defense against whom. In civil matters, it is an individual or organization against another, while in a criminal case, it’s often an individual against the state.
In both criminal and civil matters, you will require a lawyer to represent you. Commercial lawyers charge differently from a criminal lawyer. You will need a lawyer who can help you get a fair hearing before a judge and who understands the language of the court.
Categories of Criminal Charges
Criminal charges are diverse. They can be anything from homicide, drugs, robbery, and possession of unlicensed firearms. It can also be simpler charges of shoplifting or assault. When you hire a criminal defense lawyer you get a chance to provide you best way to address a charge.
The broad categories of criminal offenses are a felony and less serious offenses known as a misdemeanor. A felony is a more complex offense that you will need an experienced lawyer because the offense has a higher penalty or jail term compared to others.
An example is the possession of illegal drugs with the intent to distribute. It can also be the case of serious financial crimes like fraud and forgery.
The manner in which some offenses are treated varies from one state to another. Some offenses are considered a misdemeanor in one state and a felony in another. A misdemeanor in most cases have less impact and some people often pass the need for legal representation.
Here are 3 reasons when to hire a criminal defense lawyer.
1. To Give You Proper Representation In a Court Of Law
Every person appearing in a court of law has a right to representation. When you find yourself facing criminal charges, it’s good to let someone who understands the legal system take over your issues.
A lawyer helps you build your case and follow procedures that are required before a judge. When facing criminal charges, it more important to have a lawyer who can stand before a judge and argue your innocence.
Once you hire a lawyer, they understand how different court officials operate. These include the judge, the state counsel, and even the jury.
An experienced criminal lawyer knows the psychology of the jury and can use evidence produced against you to sway their ruling. The floor of the courtroom is your lawyer’s playground, let him run it.
Representation in a court of law can still be done by self. This, however, puts you on a serious risk of not bringing out issues the way they should be. A criminal lawyer will in instances advise a client on how to treat certain information and how he can use some elements of the case to your advantage.
The primary role of a lawyer is legal advice. Lawyers spend considerable time familiarizing themselves with legal clauses and procedures. When you feel you need someone to bail you out, then a legal mind is what you need.
2. When the Weight of the Charges are Heavy
It’s advisable to hire a lawyer immediately you run into an offense. The earlier you get an attorney the better as they prepare you on the processes the case is likely to take. It’s even more imperative to get a lawyer when the case at hand is serious.
Often, people facing misdemeanor charges can opt not to have a lawyer as the charges carry less punitive measures. You are likely to get away with a warning or a small cash penalty. This way, the cost of hiring a lawyer might be more than the fine to be paid.
For long protracted legal battles, some of which are a matter of life and death, you will need to hire a lawyer. One wrong move by the lawyer and you find yourself serving the rest of your life in jail. You will need a lawyer who understands the legal system and who is likely to secure your acquittal.
If you are convinced that the case before you is grievous, this is when to hire a criminal defense lawyer.
3. Interpretation of The Law
The law can be a complex maze for anyone to understand. Lawyers take a long time in law school learning about different laws and how they can be interpreted. Beyond the class set-up, lawyers spend a lot of time acquiring valuable experience to help them litigate different cases.
Understanding the depth of a case can determine what legal needs exist. Your lawyer will help you classify the various categories of offense and how their defense would look like.
Given the above case, you will need to hire a lawyer who can shed more light on the charges that you are facing. The criminal lawyer should be able to guide you on the best plea to take and how that affects the entire case. A lawyer will then guide you on the best way to counter evidence to be presented in court.
Once you get a criminal lawyer, they should also advise you on what to say and the implications of what each statement that you utter can have on your case.
Where to Get a Good Criminal Defense Lawyer
In many of the states, there are societies of lawyers who practice within that region. It’s possible to get a compilation of criminal defense lawyer information from local listings. You can also get this from websites which offer contacts of different lawyers.
If you go through regional associations, you can get accountability from a valid lawyer rather than finding a lawyer down the street.
Another best way to know which criminal lawyer would work for you, it’s through referrals. If your friend had a case that was won by a certain lawyer, it’s wise to consider asking for their contacts. Let the lawyer evaluate your case first because lawyers get different outcomes from different cases.
Besides, a simple search online will give you different lawyers within your area. Lawyers are restricted from conducting aggressive marketing. Based on this, they only use websites as avenues to pass information to potential clients. Be informed on the categories of lawyers and which category suits your case.
Legal Aid in a Case You Cannot Afford a Criminal Lawyer
As mentioned earlier in the article, it’s a legal requirement to have a lawyer representing you in a court of law. In the event you cannot afford a lawyer, the state should provide you with an attorney especially in felony matters. There are also many organizations and groups of lawyers who offer legal aid to individuals.
Legal aid lawyers educate you on the weight of the charges, the possible scenarios, and basic interpretation of the case before them. They also conduct the whole litigation at no cost, giving you a chance to get a fair hearing. The good thing is that the qualification for legal aid are quite basic and once you apply for one, you are likely to get them in good time.
Hire a Good Criminal Lawyer
A criminal matter is better argued by a criminal lawyer. When you hire a criminal defense lawyer, they will guide you through the rigorous and sometimes lengthy process.
There are people who prefer self-represent themselves, but there are dangers that come with this. A criminal lawyer knows better the legal system and will advise you accordingly.
Once you hire a criminal lawyer, they will explain to you the path in which your case is likely to go through. The lawyer will also give you the extent of the case and how to counter any evidence presented against you. The best thing is that lawyers have experience in dealing with the justice system and are generally informed on how to maneuver through.
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