Why You Shouldn’t DIY Your Defense In Court
If you’ve been charged with a crime, you may be tempted to represent yourself in court. You may think you are saving money by doing this, but how much is time in jail or prison worth? While you have a legal right to represent yourself, it’s never a good idea unless you have the expertise and prowess of an attorney. You can end up in prison or in jail even if you’re innocent but are unaware of what you’re doing.
As legal experts, Law Office of M. Byron Morgan has heard of many self-representations in court that have gone completely wrong! As a result, we want to help you work closely with a lawyer who represents you well. Our licensed attorney Byron Morgan has thirty-two years of legal experience and broad background in criminal law to help you understand your legal rights. Based on his research, expertise, and experience, we have put together a list of things that could go wrong to help you understand why you shouldn’t DIY your defense in court.
1. You won’t impress the judge
In court, you are held to the same standard as an attorney when you represent yourself. So, if you don’t have sufficient legal knowledge and representation skills, it’s almost guaranteed that you will mess up. The judge won’t be inclined to look favorably on your inexpert interpretation of statutory and case law. Everyone in the courtroom with professional duties understands what is required of them, and they will not help you out or give you any slack because you don’t have the experience.
2. You could incriminate yourself even further
You should know the law that applies to your charge, as well as the law of evidence and how to conduct a trial. Without this specific knowledge and courtroom experience, there is the possibility of saying things or presenting information in a way that could potentially be self-incriminating. You may have a fact about your case that you believe is beneficial, but without being able to present it properly, it could be detrimental.
Do things right - Hire a professional!
Cases where it could make sense to defend yourself are rare, and even then, there is a large amount of work to do before you appear in court. Therefore, it’s essential that you work with a suitable attorney. If you face criminal charges, having a professional criminal defense attorney at your side will be invaluable. Moreover, when so much is on the line, this is the perfect reason not to defend yourself.
A professional is verified by the licensing division of each state, such as the State Bar of Georgia. They know how to get around the confusing and complex legal system. An experienced defense attorney knows the intricate workings of the court systems and can help guide you through the process based on your individual case. They can also fight for you and your future, get your charges reduced, your penalties lessened, or even get your case dismissed due to police errors while illegally obtaining evidence against you. By reducing your charges, they can keep a felony off your criminal record and keep you from jeopardizing your career. Most of all, they may be able to keep you from jail and help you avoid losing your job. By getting your case dismissed, they can save you from any negative impact that a criminal conviction could have had on your life.
If you are looking for a criminal defense attorney in Jonesboro, Georgia, then reach out to us at Law Office of M. Byron Morgan. Our criminal defense attorney has extensive knowledge of the law and works with you to build a strong case. Whether you need help with negotiations or litigation, our criminal defense attorney provides you with zealous representation. We base our prices on a case-to-case basis. Our legal services include sex crime and child crime defense, major felony defense, domestic violence defense, drug crime defense, juvenile crime defense, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) law, etc. We serve clients on the Southside of Atlanta, including Jonesboro, Mcdonough, Griffin, Newnan, Stockbridge, Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Senoia, Clayton, Henry, Fayette, Spalding, Butts, Pike, Meriwether, Upson, Barnesville, Riverdale, Lovejoy, Hampton, and Jackson, Georgia. Visit our website to learn more or contact Law Office of M. Byron Morgan today.