If you have been charged with a misdemeanor, you may not be thinking about retaining a criminal defense attorney to defend you against the charges. You may feel like you can represent yourself, and that it is no big deal. After all, it’s only a misdemeanor, right? If these thoughts seem familiar, here are some reasons why you may want to reconsider and seek counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
One reason that it is important to seek legal counsel after you have been charged with a misdemeanor is that a misdemeanor is a crime. People who are convicted of committing crimes are punished, and the punishments for some misdemeanors may be more severe than you think. What’s more, in addition to the fines and/or jail time that you may have to deal with right now, a misdemeanor conviction could have lasting effects on your life, potentially impacting your ability to get a job or find housing, among other things.
Another way that a Kansas criminal defense attorney can help you in regards to your misdemeanor charges is making sure that you understand all of your rights. There are rules that police, investigators, prosecutors, and others involved in your case must follow. If they have made a mistake and have not followed the applicable rules and procedures, your rights may have been violated. Your attorney will not only help you understand your rights as a defendant, they will do their best to ensure that those rights are protected.
People who are charged with misdemeanors are often presented with options like probation or diversion. While probation may seem like a good idea when it is presented to you, it is essential that you fully understand the terms and conditions of what you are agreeing to. Often, probation agreements contain lengthy lists of requirements that take a great deal of time, effort, and money to comply with. Because of this, it is not uncommon for people to violate their probation and end up in a worse position than they would have been in had they chosen a different option. An experienced Kansas criminal defense attorney can help you to decide whether probation is the best option for you, based upon your unique needs. If probation is, in fact, the best option, your attorney can help you to negotiate the terms of your probation so that you will have a good chance of completing all of the requirements successfully.
One more reason why you should seek legal representation in your misdemeanor case is that your criminal defense attorney may be able to help you to get your charges or your conviction off of your record. Expunction of misdemeanor charges and convictions from your record can happen when a specific set of conditions exists. When charges or convictions are expunged, you will be able to have more privacy regarding your record. Your attorney knows which situations qualify for expunction, and if it is available in your case, they can help you to obtain it.
Facing misdemeanor charges on your own is risky, and the present and future effects on your life could be burdensome. If you are facing misdemeanor charges, you can take action to minimize both the short and long term consequences of those charges and any conviction that may result from them. When you retain a seasoned Kansas criminal defense attorney, you give yourself the best chance at obtaining the best possible outcome in your case. To learn more about how an experienced Kansas criminal defense attorney could help you, call our Wichita office today at (316) 264-1548.
Tags: Kansas criminal defense attorney, misdemeanor charge in Wichita Kansas
