Whether you are currently facing your first criminal charge or you have been previously charged with one or more crimes, you probably have a sense of just how serious your situation is. Some people may suggest that you defend yourself against the criminal charges. You may even feel as though you could be successful in representing yourself in court. If you are like many people, though, it is just too risky to go it alone. If you are on the fence about whether to retain an attorney, consider the following five reasons why it is important that you seek counsel from a knowledgeable Kansas Criminal Defense Attorney.
A lot of paperwork goes along with being charged with a crime. What you may not be aware of is that the administrative staff at the courthouse will not assist criminal defendants in filling out their paperwork. If you fill the paperwork out yourself and you make a mistake, you may hurt your chances of prevailing against the criminal charges. An experienced criminal defense attorney has completed all of those forms numerous times, and they can ensure that all of your forms get to the correct locations and parties in compliance with all applicable deadlines.
Also, criminal defendants are often offered options which may help them to avoid a conviction. Many criminal cases settle before they get to trial, often with positive results for the defendants. Your Kansas Criminal Defense Attorney can help you to understand whether and when a plea bargain, diversion, or dismissal may be available in your case. They can also help you to assess the risks and benefits of choosing each of the options that are available to you.
Every criminal conviction has consequences that can affect the present and future life of the defendant and family members. Even common crimes like drug possession and traffic violations could have serious penalties which will impact your freedom well into the future. Your Kansas Criminal Defense Attorney can help you to minimize the impact of the current charges against you on your present and future freedom.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can look closely at the facts of your case to determine whether any mistakes were made by the police. There are rules which govern how physical and verbal evidence may be obtained, and how it should be handled. Your attorney can spot evidentiary issues which may be present in your case, and can challenge the charges in situations where your rights were violated or evidence was improperly obtained.
A fifth reason that you need a Kansas Criminal Defense Attorney is that the State has an attorney. Your adversary, the prosecutor, knows the laws under which you have been charged with a crime. They want to win their case for the State, so they are unlikely to offer you any sort of leniency. When you have your own attorney, you avoid being on the disadvantaged end of a power imbalance in the courtroom.
If you have been charged with a crime, a Kansas Criminal Defense Attorney will help you to pursue the best possible outcome in your case. Your Kansas Criminal Defense Attorney will give your case the personal attention that you deserve. To learn more about how a Kansas Criminal Defense attorney can help you with your Kansas criminal matter, please call our Wichita office today at (316) 264-1548.