If you are facing a drug charge, weapon possession charge or any other type of criminal charge in New Jersey, it is important to hire an experienced Morristown criminal attorney. Criminal charges carry steep penalties, and getting convicted in court can negatively impact your life for years to come.
5 Risks of Handling Your Criminal Case Without a Lawyer
What are some of the specific risks involved in choosing not to hire an attorney? Here are five risks you will face without an experienced Morristown criminal attorney on your side:
1. You Won’t Know What to Say (and What Not to Say) in Court
Early in your criminal case, one of the most important ways a lawyer can help you is by telling you what to say (and, just as important, what not to say) in court. Not only can going to court be a nerve-racking experience, but it can also be dangerous if you don’t know how to conduct yourself in front of the judge. If you say the wrong thing, it could have severe and irreversible consequences—whether you meant to say it or now.
2. The Prosecutor’s Office Won’t Go Easy on You
The prosecutor’s office won’t go easy on you if you choose not to hire a lawyer. If anything, prosecutors will take advantage of your decision to try to secure an easy conviction. Prosecutors get paid to win in court, and they don’t have any sympathy for defendants who choose not to hire a lawyer to protect them.
3. The Judge Won’t Go Easy on You, Either
Some people assume that hiring a lawyer makes them look guilty and draws out the process. But this is not the case. Judges know the risks defendants face, and they know that defendants need experienced legal representation.
Even so, the judge won’t go easy on you if you try to handle your case without a lawyer. The judge will consider the prosecution’s evidence and any evidence you are able to submit on your own behalf, and then the judge will render a decision based on the facts and the law.
4. You Won’t Know What Defenses You Have Available
While there are several possible defenses to all types of criminal charges, identifying the defenses you can assert requires a comprehensive understanding of the law. If you don’t know all of the statutory and constitutional principles that apply to your case, you don’t have any way of defending yourself effectively.
5. You Could Be Convicted and Sentenced Unfairly
All of this means that if you try to handle your criminal case without a lawyer, you could be convicted and sentenced unfairly. Sadly, this happens all the time, and there is only so much the judge can do to protect you if you don’t protect yourself. If you are facing criminal charges, you owe it to yourself to seek legal representation, and this starts with scheduling a free consultation.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Morristown Criminal Attorney Scott Gorman
To schedule a free consultation at The Gorman Law Firm, call 973-796-3800 or contact us online. We will arrange for you to speak with Morristown criminal attorney Scott Gorman in confidence as soon as possible.
Published in Categories: Criminal Defense
