When they have been accused of a crime, some people instinctively make the decision to call a criminal lawyer, but others choose to save money and prepare their own defence. If you are considering representing yourself, you should definitely second-guess this decision. Here are the benefits of hiring a lawyer for your case.
One of the main benefits is the fact that they have a great deal of education under their belts. This means they will be more than prepared for anything that may come up during the trial. While reading up on case law may seem like all you need, there is a lot of is insight you will not have unless you are a professional in the legal arena. Criminal barristers train for many years to reach their position, as you can see here.
It is not always easy to help people see you in the best light. When you are in front of a jury, they will be paying close attention and scrutinizing you more carefully than ever. A great criminal lawyer can make the worst criminal around look like a choir boy. This is not something you will be capable of doing as skillfully, which means that the jury may have a different perception of you than you had hoped for. In short, the bad side may shine brighter than you had hoped for.
Eloquent speaking is not something that comes naturally to everyone. If there is a chance that you will not speak in a commanding yet empathetic fashion when you are addressing the jury, they may have a difficult time taking you seriously. Knowing what to say is only part of it; the other half is saying it in a manner that will convince a jury to side with you. Instead of taking chances on your public speaking ability, it would be best to let a professional do this on your behalf.
There are some cases that are lost, yet you can appeal later if certain factors are at play. It is not easy to know if you have grounds for an appeal, especially if you do not do this for a living. Hire a lawyer so there is no question if this happens and things are handled appropriately.
You may be tempted to represent yourself in a courtroom for various reasons, including the fact that it is cheaper than calling in a pro. With that said, consider all of the information here before you make the decision to avoid having a lawyer present your case before a jury.