Why Do I Need a Connecticut Criminal Defense Attorney?

 Posted on November 21, 2019 in Criminal Defense

Very often, people who have been arrested and charged with minor crimes in Connecticut might try to navigate the criminal justice system without an attorney, even though they are entitled to one. It can be easy to tell yourself that the charges are minor, that you will be able to manage without paying an attorney - but the odds are overwhelmingly against you managing to talk yourself out of fines and jail time. Enlisting a Connecticut criminal defense attorney is always a better idea.

Trust in Knowledge

While it is possible to represent yourself in a criminal matter, it is emphatically not recommended. You are required to know all the ins and outs of the law, just like any lawyer would, and failure to abide by both law and etiquette can torpedo your case before you even get started. If, for example, you represent yourself and take a plea-bargain, you may find out later on in life that you could have gotten a better deal. It is simply not worth the risk to try and handle a criminal matter on your own.

An experienced criminal defense attorney understands the big and small picture when it comes to the relevant law; they are often privy to potential avenues to get your charges reduced or to seek an alternative sentence to jail time. The average layperson is unaware of many of these options - they do not know, for example, what constitutes a good plea-bargain, or when they might qualify for pretrial diversion as opposed to jail time. Because so many crimes in Connecticut have serious consequences even for a first offense, enlisting an attorney is always a better option.

Common Misconceptions

There are several misunderstandings that may present themselves when you debate whether or not to hire a criminal attorney. Perhaps the most often seen is that an attorney will see a relatively small matter as beneath them or not worth their time - this could not be further from the truth. Attorneys want to help if at all possible, and while your case may not be a good fit for one attorney, the next one you contact may be happy to assist you.

One of the other common misunderstandings about hiring a criminal defense attorney in Connecticut has to do with cost - most criminal defense attorneys offer a first free consultation, and even if not, it is generally possible to work out an arrangement. Criminal defense attorneys also have no reason to give you a false sense of security regarding your case - if you want an honest picture of what you are facing, you need to consult a knowledgeable attorney so that you can get an accurate picture of what is in front of you.

Contact a Stamford Criminal Defense Attorney

When you have been charged with a crime, you need to have a legal professional on your side who understands the system. The Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner has been handling criminal cases for many years, and skilled Stamford criminal defense attorney Daniel P. Weiner will fight hard to ensure that your rights are protected, regardless of how ‘small’ you believe your case to be. Contact our office today at 203-348-5846 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2002/rpt/2002-R-0291.htm