Why You Should Hire a Defense Attorney Instead of Representing Yourself

Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to do it. In the US, every citizen has the right to defend themselves in court. This is a fundamental right in our Constitution. However, history and statistics prove that hiring a lawyer to represent you is much better than going it alone. Unfortunately, millions of people in the United States learn the hard way when they attempt to navigate the court system on their own.

It can be tempting to represent yourself, especially if you believe you’re innocent. Many believe they can save money and/or time by going it alone. Sadly, when reality hits, it’s often too late to undo the damage done when representing yourself.

Self-representation and hiring a lawyer is the difference between idealism and reality. In an ideal system, everyone would get a fair shake and citizens could simply have their day in court with an unbiased judge and honest, transparent law enforcement and prosecutors. But, in Texas’ overburdened justice system, the reality for defendants is far more scary.

Wondering if you should hire a defense lawyer in Texas? Keep reading to make an informed decision.

Lawyers Know the Legal System

One of the main reasons that you should hire a defense attorney is their practical knowledge of the Texas legal system. Put simply, their expertise can make or break a case. The best defense attorneys have extensive courtroom experience and insight they can bring to the table. In the brutal world of Texas courts, there is no substitute for experience. An experienced Texas defense attorney will provide you a better understanding of your case as well as the best strategies for your defense.

For example, an experienced defense attorney will thoroughly understand how evidence may or may not help a case, potential legal loopholes, or the particular inclinations of your judge. All of these factors can have a major impact on the outcome of a case.

If you are trying to defend yourself, even if you’re completely innocent, it’s easy to miss critical points of a case that could have disastrous results. An experienced defense lawyer can help avoid these problems.

In addition to knowing the legal system, they also know and understand how court works. That means that they know what to expect and can prepare for it. They also know how evidence should be handled.

Because of their knowledge, they can much more easily shift in court if something goes wrong or changes paths. This can be a huge advantage to you rather than trying to do it yourself, especially since this may trip you up if something shifts.

For instance, in court you may be starting with trying to get rid of a misdemeanor charge, but the prosecution finds different evidence that can turn into a bigger charge such as a felony. Few people would know how to respond and what legal options are available to them without an experienced lawyer by their side.

Protect You From Penalties

Money is usually the biggest reason people forego hiring an experienced defense attorney to represent them. However, in reality, going it alone often costs much much more in the long run. Aside from fees and penalties that an attorney could negotiate away, the financial impact of missing work to prepare and defend yourself can be significant. Additionally, if you lose, you could lose everything. When considering the cost of an experienced defense attorney, ask yourself how much your freedom and your future is worth? For most, there is no price too high to protect their life and their future.

If you have been falsely accused of something, the best defense lawyer can work to reduce or completely remove penalties for something that you did not do. Even if you’re guilty, your lawyer can offer alternatives that can alleviate financial penalties and fees. An experienced defense attorney can basically act as a shield against prosecutors by proving your case. This can help you avoid getting any penalties such as fines and even jail time.

If you are found guilty, a lawyer can still help. They understand how to negotiate with the court to potentially reduce the sentence that you receive as well as any fines that may have been imposes upon you.

Lawyers Have More Resources

As an individual, you most likely do not have the same resources that a lawyer can have. They can help you find witnesses, prepare a strategy, and gather any evidence that can help you. However, they also have more resources.

For instance, if you need to prove a point or need help with your case, a lawyer can help find you a private investigator or expert witnesses to help defend you.

If you are representing yourself, you can still go out and hire a private investigator and a witness, however, it is going to be a lot more expensive and a lot more time-consuming.

Save You Time and Money

One of our most precious resources is time. Going through a criminal case, filing legal paperwork, following up on your case, and finding all the resources that you need to prove your case can be extremely time-consuming.

This not only takes time away from other things you are doing but can generate a lot more stress.

Not only that, but when you hire an attorney, you are also going to save money. Sure, you are spending more money upfront, but over time you will be saving money because you aren’t spending it on things that don’t matter.

Instead, you’re spending it on someone who can dramatically improve your odds of winning your case.

Help Protect Your Future

When you hire a lawyer, you are most likely doing it because you want to have a future. Any charges that you have against you can drastically impact your future. This could be your future employment and so many other things as well.

Expert lawyers who know what they are doing are able to protect your future by making sure most things are expunged from your record. This can help you live a much more normal life than you otherwise would.

Hire the Best Defense Attorney

Let’s face it, nothing good is ever cheap. The same rule applies to defense attorneys. You pay for quality. The best, most experienced defense attorneys can give you the best shot at prevailing in court or negotiating a positive outcome. Their experience could mean the difference between your freedom or a life of struggle. Therefore, the most experienced defense attorneys won’t be cheap.

If you find yourself in need of a defense attorney, the last thing you want to do is try to figure it out on your own. This is not a time to let pride or pinching a few pennies destroy your chance at winning a case.

Instead, you should hire a defense attorney to help you. It’s a fact that even attorneys hire attorneys to represent them when needed. That alone should tell you something about the court system.

Hiring an experienced defense attorney can insure a better outcome to help protect your future. Their experience and knowledge in the field gives them a huge leg up. Not only that, but hiring a lawyer will help save you a lot of money down the line.

Need an experience defense attorney on your side? Top Texas Defense Attorney Andrea M. Kolksi has over 20+ years winning in the toughest Texas courts. Her record of victories and dismissals is second to none. If you or a loved one is in need of legal help, contact us to review your case and see how we can help.