There are many different reasons you could end in court fighting a legal battle. Most of the time this experience is completely unexpected, which not only means you are faced with the stress of dealing with the actual case, but also with trying to decide if you should hire a lawyer. Hiring a lawyer is a big decision, obviously, because it can be a substantial financial burden. However, the burden could be even greater if you do not hire a lawyer and try to handle the situation on your own. If you do, in fact, find yourself in a situation like this, you should consider these reasons for seeking the professional aid of seasoned Houston criminal defense attorneys.
EDUCATION: one of the first things you will realize when you try to tackle a legal defense on your own is that you really know very little about the law. Sure, everyone has an awareness of the law, and we all know how to behave in public, but that is different from actually understanding how laws are written. Houston criminal defense attorneys understand these things because they studied them for several years at an accredited law school.
EMOTION: another thing that you will quickly realize when trying to tackle a legal matter on your own is that it is an emotionally overwhelming experience. Indeed, walking into a courthouse for the first time, without anyone by your side, can be harrowing. Sitting in the court room while people talk about you can feel upsetting. A good lawyer, though, can put perspective on the case and argue your point for you so that you can focus on keeping your stress under control.
EXPERIENCE: Houston criminal defense attorneys are not just educated in the finer points of the law, but also have experience in the court room. This matters when it comes to negotiating the parameters of your case and the potential judgments. They might even have a relationship with the judge or prosecutor, a relationship that could help you because they each want to the best for each other and for the system. They will know how to communicate with other people involved and how to ask the right questions.
INTEGRITY: Experienced Houston criminal defense attorneys also have the integrity of a solid, proven track record. In terms of those relationships, this track record might benefit you because the judge will know that this particular lawyer is very meticulous or is good at holding clients to their word when it comes time to negotiate sentencing.
PREPARATION: Hiring professional Houston criminal defense attorneys to handle your case, though, boils down to proper preparation. They will get the facts on your case and weigh them against other cases as well as the existing laws to determine the best course of action. They will help you by objectifying the facts so that you can focus on the things you need to do protect your rights. Finally, they will guide you through the case so you are not surprised by any questions or changes.