A criminal defense attorney’s job is to represent an individual who has been charged with a crime in the criminal court system. The crimes the individual have been committed of can range from felonies to misdemeanors. Punishments that an individual can end up receiving can include a small fine, community service, several years in prison, or even life. The United States Constitution guarantees you the right to legal representation any time you have been charged with a crime. This really gives you three options to consider. You could Criminal Defense Attorney, you could utilize a court appointed attorney or you could represent yourself. For a lot of people which option they go with ends up being largely about money.
What is Having a Criminal Defense Attorney So Important?
The criminal law and criminal justice system are really a complex collection of state and federal regulations. Things get even more confusing thanks to the fact that most states come equipped with their own unique definitions and punishments for various crimes. The unfortunate truth is that the average individual just does not have a good understanding of how the criminal justice system works. For a long of obvious reasons not having a clear understanding of how the criminal justice system is not going to be a strong enough defense.
While you do have the right to defend yourself, it is important to think about the consequences of making the wrong choice when it comes to hiring legal representation during your criminal court proceedings. Having a Criminal Defense Attorney in Girardeau MO could mean the difference between getting charged with a misdemeanor and getting charged with a felony. A criminal defense attorney is going to know how to propose a deal with the prosecution that appeals to them in exchange for downsizing what you are being charged with as well as the penalties attached. The best time to hire an attorney is before your initial court date. This way they can prepare you for what is going to happen as well as being there to support and defend you every step of the way.
