When you are facing criminal charges, it can be an overwhelming and stressful time in your life. Whether this is your first offense or one of many, you are bound to have questions and concerns along the way. With the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, you may be able to put up a fight for your freedom. There are many benefits of hiring a local criminal defense lawyer in Birmingham, Alabama for your case. From experience with criminal charges to personalized care when you need it most, hiring legal counsel for your case is always a smart move in the right direction.
Criminal Case Knowledge
One of the biggest and most immediate benefits of hiring a local criminal defense lawyer in Birmingham, Alabama is that the lawyer will have experience and knowledge pertaining to your case. The criminal justice system is a complex, complicated machine where having an insider’s understanding of how it operates is always useful, especially with so much on the line. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will have firsthand knowledge about how to proceed with your case, what to argue in hopes of avoiding conviction, and how to compile a strong case in your defense. Best of all, they will have knowledge about your particular criminal charges. Not all criminal charges are the same in gravity or punishment. For instance, a DUI charge and a robbery charge are very different in how they are handled.
Personalized Attention
Another benefit of hiring a local criminal defense lawyer is the personalized attention your case will receive as a result. You are bound to have questions and concerns throughout this stressful process. By hiring a criminal defense lawyer to represent you, you will have someone there dedicated to answering your questions and giving you personalized attention based on the specifics of your individual case. An experienced criminal defense lawyer understands that no two cases are the same, so your case will be treated as its own case with your best interests at the forefront.
Game Plan in Place
When faced with criminal charges, it is easy to get swept up in all of the possible outcomes and what you should do to achieve the best possible outcome of all those available to you. With a dedicated criminal defense lawyer steering your case, you will not be the one burdened with figuring out the best course of action. Your attorney specializing in criminal defense in Birmingham will gather the facts of your charges and compile a case to present to the judge on your behalf. This game plan will be discussed with you beforehand to help you fully understand what the lawyer is asking the judge for in terms of your future.
Protection of Your Legal Rights
Another benefit of hiring legal counsel is that the lawyer will be able to protect your legal rights. Without extensive knowledge of the legal system, it can be easy as an outsider to have your rights violated without even realizing it. By hiring a lawyer, your rights will be a priority at every step of the journey. They will also be able to identify if your rights were violated during the arrest and how that may impact the outcome of your case. Your lawyer will also make sure you receive as fair a trial as possible to ensure the protection of your legal rights from start to finish.
Possibility of Less Severe Penalties
Finally, an important benefit of hiring legal counsel for a criminal case is the possibility of reducing the severity of the penalties associated with your crime. For any defense lawyer, the goal is to avoid a conviction altogether. Your lawyer will fight diligently on your behalf in an effort to avoid conviction, but this may not always be possible for various reasons. In the event that avoiding conviction is not possible or the goal of the case, an experienced criminal defense lawyer will fight to reduce the charges and the penalties associated with the charges. For example, a lawyer may be able to ask the judge for leniency based on other factors, such as the circumstances surrounding the crime, the character of the individual, or other extenuating circumstances.
Support for After the Trial
Once the verdict has been rendered, your attorney will be able to offer support on the next steps in the legal process. If you are free to go with no legal ramifications, you and the lawyer will simply part ways. In the more likely scenario that you have further legal aspects to deal with, such as jail time, probation, community service, or other court-ordered programs in place of jail time, a criminal defense attorney will walk you through what you need to do in order to stay out of further trouble for the case. They will also be able to answer any follow-up questions about your case, how the verdict impacts your future, or any documentation you need to submit as part of your sentencing or rehabilitation.
