If you are facing criminal charges in College Park, you may think that you can represent yourself to resolve the situation. Regardless of the charges you face, you should never dismiss your right to legal counsel. Criminal charges are not something to make light of. They come with serious consequences that can affect you throughout the rest of your life.
To better understand why you should work with a criminal defense attorney, here is a brief overview of the disadvantages of self-representation.
You lack knowledge about the legal system
The law is very complicated, and the legal system even more so. You do not have the time, nor the resources, to learn what you need to know to successfully defend yourself against the prosecution. The prosecutor has many years of experience and expert knowledge of the law that he or she will be using against you. An attorney, on the other hand, has the in-depth knowledge, skill and expertise that are needed to successfully defend you.
You could make a crucial mistake and lose it all
The legal process is not very easy to navigate through. In addition to having to appear in court, you will need to file documents that are time sensitive. Since you are not too familiar with the Maryland judicial system, the chances of you submitting documents with missing information and missing deadlines are high. Simple mistakes like those could end up severely impacting your case and may result in stiffer penalties.
You may have unrealistic views about the criminal justice process and how it can impact your life. These illusions can make it harder for you to understand the seriousness of your situation. It can also complicate things when you go to trial.
You should always consider hiring an attorney to protect your rights and fight for your freedom instead of gambling it away with self-representation. If you are facing criminal charges, no matter how minor or severe they are, you should speak to an attorney for guidance.