Those who are arrested have the right to an attorney if they want one to help with their defense. Many people don’t think they can afford a Criminal Defense Attorney in Fort Myers, but also make too much money to qualify for a public defender. A lot of these people may try to handle the case pro se, meaning on their own, to try to save money, but this is almost never going to be a good option.
Pro Se Trials Often Lead to Convictions
Those who choose to represent themselves don’t have the familiarity with the law and the legal system to provide a solid defense. This lack of knowledge, even if they don’t realize it, can lead to a much higher chance they’re going to be convicted of the crime if the case goes to trial.
If the accused is convicted, there is also a higher chance they’ll receive the maximum penalty for the crime. Lawyers, instead, know what the accused should do and say in court to try to convince the judge to be more lenient with the sentencing. This could make a big difference in the amount of time they spend in jail, the fines they have to pay, and more.
Pro Se Representation Enables Easy Mistakes
Lawyers spend years going to school and participating in trials before they represent clients on their own. They have the experience needed to avoid most mistakes. While no one is perfect, lawyers are going to have a much lower chance of making a mistake that could significantly impact the outcome of a case because of their legal education. Attempting to handle a case pro se can easily lead to mistakes that could be detrimental to the person’s case.
If you’ve been arrested, you will not want to make this mistake. Instead of trying to handle your case pro se, take the time to speak with a Criminal Defense Attorney in Fort Myers about your options. It’s far better to pay for a lawyer now and minimize the impact of the arrest than to deal with a conviction on your record for the rest of your life. Visit the Law Office Of James W. Chandler P.A. online now to learn more or to get help.
