Nothing is more frightening than being accused of a crime. The prospect of going to jail is among most people’s biggest fears. If you have been accused of a crime, you want to do everything in your power to maintain your freedom. It is important to hire a good attorney and do what they advise you. There are several benefits to hiring an attorney rather than taking the public defender that the court appoints to you.

A Lawyer Is a Professional Negotiator

More than 90% of defendants in criminal cases in the United States take a plea deal rather than going to trial. According to the Law Office of Hernandez and Hamilton, an attorney will negotiate a plea deal for you with the courts. You want an experienced criminal lawyer on your side who has handled multiple cases that are similar to yours.

You should hire an attorney who has enough time to devote to your case. If an attorney has too many clients, it is easy for them to get overwhelmed. When you go in for your initial consultation, you should ask how big their staff is and how many clients they currently have.

They Will Be Familiar With All of the Forms

Everyone involved in a criminal case has to fill out plenty of paperwork. If the paperwork is not filled out correctly, it can cause problems with your defense. A typographical error can make a judge think that you have more priors than you do or that you are charged with a more serious crime than you are.

They Are Familiar With the Laws in Arizona

Although activities like theft, arson, and assault, may be illegal everywhere, different states have different laws pertaining to criminal activity. For example, in the state of Arizona, it is a felony to steal more than $1,000. In the states of Nevada and New Jersey, you only have to steal $300 to be considered a felon.

Your attorney will base their defense strategy on the particular laws in Arizona. If they have practiced law in the Tucson area for a long time, they will also be familiar with certain judges. They will know what arguments have worked in the past with each judge.

Your Lawyer Will Fully Research Your Case

Fully researching a criminal case is key to the defense. An attorney will look at how an investigation and an arrest were handled. There are certain things that police cannot do when they investigate a case and when they arrest a person. Many cases get dismissed every year because law enforcement officers did not follow proper protocol.

They will talk to all of the witnesses in the case and look for any holes in the evidence that the prosecutor has against you. A really good attorney will research cases that are similar to yours to help build an argument for your defense. A law firm will have legal research tools such as Lexus Nexus that are not available to most people.

Trained Litigators

In the unlikely event that your case goes to trial, you want an attorney who can sway a jury. A really good attorney will be an outstanding public speaker. A good litigator will be fast on their feet ready to object to any inappropriate questions the prosecution asks a witness. They should be able to give a compelling opening argument and a passionate closing argument so the jury is with them throughout the trial.

Being incarcerated for a long time can ruin your life. A good attorney can secure your freedom and help you move on with your life.