Some people falsely convince themselves they do not need a attorney when appearing before a judge, jury, or any other manner of court appearance. This belief could not be further from the truth. There is no way the average person will be able to understand all of the intricacies of the law nor be able to navigate the loopholes which exist in current laws.
A well-educated lawyer will know exactly which laws apply to the city or state in which the defendant has found themselves in trouble. Remember that laws can vary widely across the country so just because something is legal in the defendant’s home state does not make it legal if they find themselves under arrest or accused of a crime on the other side of the country.
An attorney may have a professional relationship with the judge in charge of the case and may be able to negotiate a lower bail amount, or perhaps even arrange for the accused to be released on their own recognizance. This is not something the average citizen is typically able to do on their own. When appearing in front of a jury, the attorney will know exactly what things to focus on so the jury is more likely to return with a verdict which is in the best interests of the defendant.
An attorney will be able to advise the accused exactly what their rights are and what types of questions must be answered and what types of questions do not have to be answered. This is crucial when being interrogated by the police. It is highly advisable to have a lawyer by one’s side as the police will definitely seek to use the words of the accused against them.
It is for these reasons, along with many more, that a lawyer should be contacted as soon as possible after being arrested or after being accused of a crime. In fact, it may be in the best interests of all U.S. citizens to have a lawyer on retainer so they will always be available when they are needed and can come when the accused calls them.
