“He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” – Abraham Lincoln
It may be tempting to represent yourself when you find you have pending criminal charges or an upcoming traffic court appearance; however, there are many reasons why you should hire an attorney. The criminal justice system is difficult to navigate alone, and you will want an experienced attorney to help guide you through the process, regardless of how minor the offense may seem. The following are just some reasons you should hire an attorney:
- Traffic Offenses: Many people choose to forgo hiring an attorney to represent them in traffic matters. There is a common misconception that by choosing to handle the matter as a self-represented defendant, you can save money. However, your chances of successfully fighting the charges or having them reduced to a lesser or non-moving violation are much better with an attorney fighting for you. If you chose to just pay the fine, there may be consequences and costs that may not be apparent to you. By paying the fine, you are admitting guilt, and on your driving record will appear a conviction for that violation. Your premiums will likely increase with every conviction on your driving record, which may ultimately cost you more than you would have paid to hire an attorney.
- Drug Charges: There are many consequences of a conviction for drug-related offenses. Your ability to receive financial aid, public housing, or veteran's benefits may all be affected by a conviction of a drug charge. Because the stakes are high, you will want to have an experienced criminal defense attorney fighting for you.
- DUI: If you have been arrested for a DUI, you have 30 days from the date of arrest or citation to request an administrative hearing in order to maintain your driving privileges. Failure to make a written request for an administrative hearing will result in your driver's license being automatically suspended. By hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney, your chances of successfully challenging the suspension and maintaining your driving privileges are far greater than they would be if you try navigating the process alone.
- Domestic Abuse: A conviction for certain domestic abuse charges, such as domestic abuse battery, can result in you losing the right to own or possess a firearm. In order to have the best chance of preserving your rights, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney fighting for you.
You should hire an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after being arrested or receiving a citation. The sooner you have hired an attorney, the sooner your attorney can start working on your case and fighting for you. The attorneys at Lawrence Law Firm have handled a wide variety of cases and have consistently reached favorable results for our clients. Call 318-232-4000 for a free consultation.
The blog published by Lawrence Law Firm is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. The blog should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.
Comments
Lily Reply
Posted Jan 24, 2023 at 21:17:43
It’s great that you noted that the system is challenging to understand on your own; regardless of how little the infraction may seem, you’ll want an experienced lawyer to help you negotiate the system. My aunts need to hear this as they settle a will dispute over my late grandma’s estate plan. I’m sure having an attorney around who knows how to take care of everything legally will help. https://www.youngandmuggleton.com.au/wills-probates-powers-of-attorney
Elaina D'Agostino Reply
Posted Jan 26, 2023 at 21:09:10
It got me when you mentioned how important it is to hire an attorney as soon as the person was arrested. As you said, the sooner that they have an attorney on their side, the sooner the professional can work on helping with their case. Especially if the person believes they are innocent. They need an expert who can gather the evidence to prove this. http://www.lannielaw.com/18-wheeler-accidents
Elina Brooks Reply
Posted Feb 02, 2023 at 00:51:14
Thank you for letting us know that for a DUI, we have 30 days from the date of the arrest to request an administrative hearing that can help maintain our driving privileges and lessen penalties. My cousin got pulled over by the police last night because of drunk driving, so he needs legal help to reduce his penalties. I’ll have to help him find a trusted and experienced DUI lawyer he can rely on soon. http://www.andrewspontius.com/services.html
Shammy Peterson Reply
Posted Mar 03, 2023 at 19:19:07
The thing that stuck out to me the most is when you said that you will be able to challenge the suspension and maintain your driving privileges when you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney. My husband should find this tip helpful because he was charged with a DUI case, and he wants to seek help in defending himself. Maybe, he could consider your tips to find the best lawyer that can represent him in the best possible way. http://www.bateslawfirmpllc.com/services
Lily Reply
Posted May 04, 2023 at 08:32:34
I was moved when you stressed the significance of retaining legal counsel as soon as the suspect was taken into custody. As you said, the sooner they have legal representation, the sooner the expert can get to work on assisting them with their case. particularly if they think they are innocent. To show this, they require a solicitor or a lawyer who can compile the necessary proof. https://www.kqlawyers.com.au/moss-vale
ava m Reply
Posted Aug 07, 2023 at 20:44:09
The best part of your blog for me is when you said that you will have a better chance of maintaining your driving privileges when you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney. This is something that I will share with my best friend because she was charged with a DUI case after trying to get home drunk. She insisted on driving on her own because she could not handle her migraine anymore, so it will be beneficial for her to hire the right DUI attorney. https://johnwmolony.com/charleston-dui-lawyer/
Clare Martin Reply
Posted Sep 06, 2023 at 03:47:50
I appreciate you letting us know that for DUI cases, we have 30 days from the date of arrest to request a hearing to help us keep our driving privileges, which is why we need to have a lawyer to increase our chances of successfully challenging the suspension of our license. My cousin is a first-time DUI offender, and he’s worried about losing his license after getting caught last night, so he needs legal help for this case soon. I’ll keep this in mind while I look for a DUI lawyer in Grand Junction to recommend to my cousin soon. https://www.handlawgj.com/
Lily Reply
Posted Sep 21, 2023 at 08:27:56
What caught my attention the most was when you mentioned that hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney could enable you to contest the suspension and preserve your driving privileges. This advice could be valuable for my husband, who is currently facing a DUI charge and is actively seeking legal assistance to defend himself. Perhaps he could use your suggestions to identify the most suitable lawyer to advocate for his case effectively.
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