If you or a loved one face criminal charges and wonder how you will handle your felony case, you might feel distraught and scared. Especially if you are a first-timer, the legal system can feel especially confusing if you do not know your way around a criminal court.
Hiring a professional, private criminal defense attorney can help alleviate some of these stressors for the following reasons:
1. Extensive knowledge of the legal system
Experienced criminal defense attorneys know the ins and outs of their area of law. With this knowledge, he or she can act efficiently in evaluating your case and figuring out what may work in your favor to build you a solid case. Often, private attorneys have certain areas of law in which they have more experience and expertise, such as drug cultivation offenses, white-collar crimes, murders and professional fraud.
2. Resources to help handle your case efficiently
Established criminal defense law firms have a host of resources and staff to handle cases. Trial attorneys prepare winning strategies behind the scenes by collecting evidence, questioning witnesses, researching caselaw and more. An attorney at a private firm will have the resources to help you as a client find private investigators or expert witnesses to support your case.
3. A network of people in criminal law
Lawyers working in criminal law who have a good reputation will likely already know a few of the parties involved in your case (the prosecution and judges). This gives him or her a better understanding of how these individuals operate. This will help your legal team form a smart defense strategy for your felony charges.
Overall, if you ever face felony charges, a private attorney will have the knowledge, adequate resources and know-how on how to navigate the criminal justice system. With a lower caseload than most public defenders, you will likely have more access to and direct attention from your private attorney.
