No one wants to need an attorney. However, chances are you could need one at some point in your lifetime. As of 2015, more than 70 million people had criminal records, and that only counts the people who were convicted of a crime. Millions more are accused of crimes each year, and in many cases, the person is either innocent, or he or she did not do something as serious as what the charges suggest. If you are charged with a crime, even a relatively minor one, it’s important to work with an attorney.
Many crimes that people are charged with are minor in nature. These include things like trespassing, reckless driving, disturbing the peace. These are often crimes in which the alleged perpetrator caused a dangerous and disruptive situation, but no one was hurt and nothing was stolen. In these cases, you may just be tempted to take your lumps and get on with your life, but you can benefit from having an attorney. Attorneys often can get these kinds of charges reduced or at least ensure that you just get a fine and/or probation rather than serving jail time.
One of the most common crimes that can cause you a stigma the rest of your life is drug possession. More than 1 million people every year in the U.S. face drug charges, and these range from simple marijuana possession to drug trafficking. If you face drug charges, it is extremely important to have an attorney, especially if you face something more serious than simple possession. Many drug possession charges, and nearly all kinds of trafficking charges are felonies. Being convicted of a felony can greatly alter your life. You can lose voting rights and have a harder time finding a job. A criminal defense attorney can help negotiate a plea to a lesser charge, which is common, especially in minor cases or in cases when it is a person’s first offense. An attorney might also be able to get felony drug charges reduced to misdemeanor charges and might be able to help you stay out of prison.
Whether you are facing a serious criminal charge or a minor one, there are good reasons to have an attorney by your side. Having an experienced lawyer can help ensure you get the best outcome possible, something that can have an effect for the rest of your life.