You have most likely heard that you can represent yourself in court. You may have even thought about all the money you could save by not hiring a lawyer. You may believe that there are times when the facts are self-evident, so they speak for themselves. You may also think that the courtroom is a place where everyone gets to tell their story, but none of it is true. Your livelihood is at stake when you go to court. If you don’t have an experienced attorney to represent you, a guilty verdict is practically inevitable.
Why It’s a Mistake to Represent Yourself in Court
People who represent themselves in court are called “self-represented litigants.” They can also be referred to as “unrepresented litigants” or “pro se litigants.” It’s not uncommon to find people who want to save money by representing themselves, but it’s a mistake. Even if cases seem straightforward, representing yourself in a criminal case is guaranteed to result in a conviction.
Here are some of the reasons why you should never represent yourself in a criminal case:
- Education — When it comes to something as complicated as criminal defense, it’s not enough to have raw intelligence and good research skills. You need to understand the intricacies of the American legal system, which requires years of focused and constantly expanding education. It’s something that you won’t have the time to do on your own.
- Familiarity — Most seasoned attorneys will be familiar with the prosecutors, judges, and even the officers who are involved in your case. While the law isn’t completely flexible, knowing who you’re dealing with and what they will or won’t respond to is important if you want to be successful in the courtroom.
- Time — As hard as you might be able to work on your case, a team of dedicated professionals can do a lot more. Attorneys who know the system will have access to more knowledge and resources, which will not only make your case more compelling but will also streamline the process.
- Experience — No matter how much you may have taught yourself about the law, nothing can prepare you for what you will experience in the courtroom. Even the simplest error in etiquette, protocol, and technology can jeopardize your case. It could even get you arrested for being in contempt of court.
No matter what you have been charged with, choosing to represent yourself in a criminal case will send a message that you’re not serious about defending yourself. There are differences between what you’re allowed to do in court and what you have to do to win your case. If you’re not invested in your own case, feel free to represent yourself. But if you want to win, you will need to hire an attorney.
There are some people who have been successful in representing themselves in court, but it’s not very common. In many cases, people who decide to represent themselves in court realize that their case requires a specific set of expertise or knowledge of the law (which is something they may not have). If you think you’re saving money by not hiring an attorney, things aren’t likely to work out the way you expect them to. Hiring an attorney to represent you when your case goes to trial may be your only shot at freedom.
Finding the Right Attorney to Represent You
If you want to find the right attorney for your case, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this person a trial attorney? — Trial attorneys know how to come up with solid defenses for a trial. They can prepare witnesses, gather evidence, and choose jury members. That’s why going to trial without an attorney will put you in trouble.
- Is this person a Super Lawyer? — This designation is only given to a handful of attorneys from every state who have made outstanding achievements in their field of law, so it can be a good indication that you have hired the best attorney you can find.
If you have a case that you can’t afford to lose, you shouldn’t represent yourself. You need to hire an attorney who can argue in front of a judge and jury so they can win your case. While you’re allowed to represent yourself in court, defending complex criminal charges without an experienced trial attorney will most likely result in a conviction.
If you’re looking for one of the best criminal lawyers in Corpus Christi, TX, be sure to get in touch with Gale Law Group.