Should I represent myself if I am charged with a crime?
Do I need to hire a defense lawyer for a Utah criminal case?
Hiring an
attorney
to handle your
criminal defense case in Utah can be one of the most important
decisions you make. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can make the
difference between success and disaster. If you are questioning whether
you need an attorney, consider the following issues.
Do you have legal training and experience needed to go up
against a seasoned prosecutor?
Utah's criminal courts use an adversarial system - prosecution
v. defense. A defendant who chooses self-representation will be going
up against a prosecutor who likely has handled hundreds or thousands of
cases, who has spent thousands of hours in court, and has spent years
studying the rules of evidence, criminal procedure, and substantive
criminal law. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help even the
playing field.
The criminal law, rules of evidence, and procedural rules that
govern a criminal case are not always straightforwardly written. Each
of these rules and statutes has to be interpreted in light of a lengthy
history of case law and opinions from Utah's appellate courts as well
as the federal court system and United States Supreme Court. It can
take years of study and experience to develop the knowledge and skill
necessary to successfully defend a criminal case in court.
You
have the right to represent yourself and to present your own defense in
court. But in most cases, you will be far better off if you hire an
experienced criminal defense attorney to handle your case.
Can you handle a worst-case scenario in your criminal case?
In
a perfect world, car accidents would never happen, no one would get
sick, and justice would always prevail in our criminal courts. But
still, we buy car insurance and health insurance. And most people hire
a criminal defense attorney to ensure that their interests and rights
are protected when they are charged with a crime.
An
insurance agent once explained his theory on what things you should
insure, and what things you should not insure. He said, "If
you
can afford to absorb the cost of a worst case scenario, then don't buy
the insurance. If you can't absorb that cost, then buy
insurance." Small things like a broken toaster will probably not drive
you into bankruptcy, so
comprehensive and extended warranties may not be necessary. But major
problems like
long-term illnesses or an
automobile accident with serious injuries can mean financial disaster.
Insurance for these possibilities can be vital.
In a
legal case, if you can accept the worst case scenario, then you may not
need to worry about hiring an attorney. If you are facing a minor
speeding ticket with just a small fine, then the money you
would spend on an attorney is probably more than the conviction would
cost you. On the other hand, in Utah even a "minor"
misdemeanor
conviction carries a real risk of jail time.
Any criminal
conviction carries the potential for jail time. Felony convictions may
result in extended prison sentences. Even a short jail sentence could
mean
losing your job, foreclosure or eviction from your home, not being able
to take care of your family, and more. A felony conviction can make it
much more difficult to get a job or even just to rent an apartment.
Many Utah criminal
convictions can also affect your driver's license, the right to possess
a gun or hunt, professional licensing, employment, and
more.
If
you can accept the worst case scenario for a conviction in your case,
maybe you don't need an attorney. But when the
consequences
of a
Utah criminal conviction can have a devastating impact on your life and
family, hiring an experienced Utah criminal defense attorney can give
you the best chances of getting a positive outcome in your case.
Finding a Criminal Defense Attorney in Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt
Lake criminal defense lawyer Stephen Howard has
handled more
serious criminal cases than most Utah attorneys will see in their
entire careers. His
track
record includes not guilty verdicts or dismissals in cases
including
aggravated
robbery,
aggravated
assault,
burglary,
forgery,
drug
possession and
distribution,
DUI,
and many more.
If you are facing a criminal charge in Utah,
contact us
now to schedule your initial consultation. See the difference
an
experienced criminal defense attorney can make for your case.
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