7 Reasons to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney
One of the first questions posed to individuals facing criminal charges is whether or not they should hire a criminal defense attorney. The obvious downside is the potential costs and fees associated with hiring a lawyer. However, in many cases, the monetary fees of a criminal defense attorney are minimal compared to the life-altering costs that can result from not having the best possible defense. Below are 7 different reasons why hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney is important.
1. They Understand the Judicial System
The first and often most important reason to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney is that they understand how the judicial system works. The legal system can be confusing, even for people who work in it every day, but an experienced defense lawyer knows the intricate workings of the court systems and can help guide you through the process based on your individual case. In fact, the attorneys at Berry Law help demystify the process by providing a free step-by-step guide of the court proceedings for any individual criminal case during your first in-person consultation.
2. They Have Built Relationships with Prosecutors
After working in the legal field for long periods of time, defense attorneys begin to develop relationships with their counterparts—prosecuting attorneys. While it may seem odd to develop a positive relationship with an adversary, both parties understand that everyone has a better experience when people are familiar with each other. Having an attorney who has developed a good relationship with your prosecuting attorney can prove vital in the outcome of your case. Their relationship may allow them to negotiate a better plea deal or negotiate an affordable bond. The attorneys at Berry Law have represented clients in nearly every county in Nebraska. We know most of the prosecutors in these counties, especially those in the cities of Omaha, Lincoln, York, Grand Island, Kearney, Lexington, North Platte, and Ogallala. We can use our experience to help negotiate the best outcome for you in your case.
3. They Have Dealt with Cases Similar to Yours Before
Not all attorneys are built the same. While all attorneys passed law school and the state bar to practice in the jurisdiction, different attorneys have different specialties. An experienced criminal defense attorney has dealt specifically with cases relating to criminal charges. They have experience in handling cases that may be nearly identical to yours. At Berry Law, our team of criminal lawyers has all been practicing criminal defense for most of their careers. They know what they need to do to provide our clients with the best outcome for their respective cases.
4. They Can Protect Your Future
An experienced criminal defense attorney can fight for you and your future. A good attorney may be able to get your charges reduced, your penalties lessened, or even get your case dismissed due to police errors while illegally obtaining evidence against you. By reducing your charges, they can keep a felony off your criminal record and keep you from jeopardizing your career. By reducing your possible penalties, they can keep you from jail and help you avoid losing your job. By getting your case dismissed they can save you from any negative impact that a criminal conviction could have had on your life.
5. They Can Save You Money
It’s counterintuitive to think a more expensive lawyer will save you money, but history has shown that spending the additional money for an experienced criminal defense lawyer is almost always worth it. They can help you receive the best possible sentencing for your case, which could help you keep your job or keep you from losing your professional license. How many months of income would you lose if you lost your job tomorrow? How many years of viable earning potential would be destroyed if you are stripped of a professional license? Even without being fired, missing work for jail or extended court may cause a financial strain that could be avoided.
6. They Can Assess Law Enforcements Conduct
No amount of observation through TV, media, or Facebook, can help the average person really understand the actual legal limits of what law enforcement can do when obtaining evidence in a criminal case. Good criminal defense lawyers spend years learning the nuances of proper procedure and identifying the blind spots and loopholes. They know what police officers are allowed to do when investigating a client, and can look at every possible means by which the officers may have infringed upon the rights of the accused. If the evidence gathering was improper, the lawyer can get the evidence thrown out of your case and this can often lead to dismissals. The attorneys at Berry Law examine every aspect of the case to determine whether law enforcement acted within their limitations. Our attorneys have experience getting evidence suppressed and ultimately case dismissed due to the illegal conduct of law enforcement. View our case results page to see some of the results we have received for our clients.
7. They Can Advise You on the Possible Outcomes
Some criminal attorneys will paint a bright picture of how they can help you in your case. They will assure you that nothing negative will happen once you go to court. Then suddenly you are convicted of a felony and face 5 years in jail. The attorney assured you it wouldn’t happen, but it did because you simply trusted the system would work itself out and your innocence would be proven. At Berry Law, we know the possible penalties you will face. We can advise you on what can truly happen if you are convicted and can advise you on the steps you should take in your specific case. Our attorneys will let you know when it is in your best interest to take a plea deal from prosecutors or when you should battle the criminal charges in court. We understand how most judges in Nebraska tend to punish individuals for certain crimes and know the possibilities of getting your case dismissed.
