10 Reasons to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer Immediately

If you face a criminal charge, you should know about many reasons why it's important to hire a defense attorney right away. Indeed, a criminal defense lawyer may be all that stands between you and a prison sentence and a hefty fine, so it's immensely important that you act quickly to gain such legal support.

Here are a few of the best reasons to hire a criminal defense lawyer immediately after being charged with a crime:

Reason #1: Time is not on your side.

If you've been arrested and charged with a crime, time is not on your side. You must act quickly or the case against you can become worse, as prosecutors continue to gather evidence to use against you. Your best chance of a negotiation to reduce or eliminate your charge is to begin such negotiations as soon as possible.

However, negotiations should be handled by an experienced attorney who can act quickly after your arrest to negotiate a reduced charge or perhaps even get your charge dropped.

Reason #2: A professional approach is needed.

A criminal offense is a serious charge, and a professional approach is needed to deal with the challenges and to meet the problem head-on. For instance, it may be necessary to mediate between you and your accuser. If so, a professional approach by a defense attorney can help. You should never contact your accuser on your own. Leave that to a professional.

The bottom line is you should not try handling your own case, but should engage a professional defense lawyer to do the heavy lifting.

Reason #3: You must know your legal options.

When you face a criminal charge, you must be aware of the legal options you have. Your defense lawyer can provide you with these options and advise you on your next steps. Keep in mind that your attorney will have your best interests at heart.

Reason #4: You should not answer questions without an attorney present.

If police, prosecutors or investigators want to question you about a criminal case in which you are implicated, you should not answer any such questions without your lawyer being present to advise you on how to answer. Otherwise, you could accidentally hurt your case by what you say, especially given the fact that police often try to trick suspects into admitting their implication in a crime.

Keep in mind that it's your legal right to have an attorney with you when you are questioned, and getting such an attorney is not an admission of guilt, but simply a protection of your legal rights.

Reason #5: Your constitutional rights may have been violated.

A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer can quickly determine if your constitutional rights were violated by arresting officers, who often make mistakes or step beyond legal boundaries. For instance, authorities may not have secured a proper warrant to search your home or belongings, or they may have lacked probable cause for such a search.

With help from your defense lawyer, you may be able to have some evidence in your case deemed inadmissible in court, so that it cannot be used against you.

Reason #6: You may want to make a plea bargain.

Often, cases are resolved before going to trial by having a defense attorney negotiate a plea bargain, also known as a plea agreement or a plea deal. That means you may agree to plead guilty, but only to a lesser charge, or only with the understanding that your punishment will be reduced as a result.

To reduce the time and expense of trials, many cases are resolved by means of plea bargain agreements negotiated between a criminal defense lawyer and prosecutors. A plea agreement even may be offered first by prosecutors, after which your lawyer can work to negotiate an even better deal. If a fair plea agreement cannot be reached, your defense lawyer then can fight for your case at trial.

Reason #7: You need to gain evidence in your favor.

A skilled defense attorney can work quickly to get the evidence you need to support your case, or your side of things. This can include gathering physical evidence as well as securing witness statements.

Reason #8: Emotional support is important.

The reassurance of having a veteran lawyer is important in helping defendants face their case with the proper emotional support. Experiencing a criminal charge is a high-pressure situation with potentially harrowing psychological effects. Your defense lawyer stands between you and a harsh criminal justice system, and such support can be vital in helping you deal with the crisis.

Reason #9: Criminal laws are complicated.

The Texas Penal Code as well as federal statutes are complicated when it comes to criminal charges. An experienced lawyer understands these laws and the best way to face them and to counter the charge against you.

Reason #10: Criminal penalties are financially costly.

Along with possible jail time, the punishments for those convicted of crimes in Texas can be hugely expensive. You can face fines of many thousands of dollars for certain crimes, as well as possible expenses involving bail, court costs and other fees. The cost of hiring a defense lawyer may be far less than the many costs to you — including lost wages, if you're imprisoned —  in the event that you're convicted.

These ten reasons illustrate why hiring a criminal defense attorney immediately is vital if you or a family member faces a criminal charge. Act quickly and contact us today at the Neal Davis Law Firm, and we will provide you with a legal review of your case, along with legal advice on how you should proceed.

If you or a loved one faces a criminal charge for drug possession, theft, sex offenses, online solicitation, DWI or a white collar crime, you need experienced legal help.

You need the Neal Davis Law Firm.

For those living in Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Houston or the rest of Harris County, contact us today. Let us help you by providing the legal, professional and emotional support you need to face the daunting prospect of a criminal charge or criminal trial.