Whether you are the target of a criminal investigation or you have already been arrested and charged with a crime, one of your first thoughts should be centered around hiring an attorney. Understandably, the cost of a criminal defense attorney will probably also be a consideration; however, placing too much emphasis on the short-term cost can have serious negative long-term consequences. A Murfreesboro criminal defense lawyer at Bennett, Michael & Hornsby explains why it is important to hire the best criminal defense lawyer.
Your Right to Counsel
The first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, collectively referred to as the Bill of Rights, gives an accused several important rights. Among those is the right to counsel found in the
Sixth Amendment. The right to be represented by an attorney is a right not afforded to defendants in other countries around the world and, therefore, is one thing that makes the U.S. criminal justice system among the best in the world. If a defendant cannot afford an attorney, an attorney must be provided at little or no cost. You also, however, have the right to hire an attorney to represent you in a criminal prosecution. While there is no doubt that public defenders are seasoned criminal defense attorneys who are dedicated to defending their clients, they are also almost always over-worked, under-paid, and have little access to crucial resources. For these reasons, if you are facing criminal charges, hiring the best criminal defense lawyer you can is crucial.
Benefits of Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
Facing criminal charges is a frightening and stressful experience. Suddenly having to come up the money to hire a first-rate criminal defense lawyer can seem daunting. This is not where you want to compromise or economize as a defendant though. In the long run, the benefits of having the best criminal defense lawyer possible on your side far outweigh the financial cost. Those benefits include things such as:
- Bond reduction. If you cannot afford the initial bond set in your case, an experienced criminal defense lawyer can request a review of that bond and potentially get it significantly reduced.
- Assertion of your rights. You have numerous other important constitutional rights; however, you must know how and when to assert those rights for them to protect you. Your attorney can advise you of your rights and make sure they are asserted when applicable.
- Thorough independent investigation and review of the state’s investigation. The state conducted its own investigation and gathered evidence before charging you with a crime. That does not mean they conducted a thorough investigation nor that the investigation was conducted properly and legally. Your attorney can conduct an independent investigation and review to ensure that your rights were not violated and that any evidence favorable to you is uncovered.
- Ability to negotiate from a better position. An experienced and successful criminal defense lawyer has a reputation with the prosecutor’s office. That reputation automatically puts your attorney in a better position to negotiate and advocate for you during the prosecution of your case.
- Resources. An experienced criminal defense attorney likely has a support staff, additional attorneys, expert witnesses, investigators, and a wealth of additional resources at his/her disposal that can be used to investigate and defend your case.
- Willing and able to go to trial. Taking a criminal case to trial is a big decision – and one that should never be made based on an attorney’s reluctance to try the case and/or inexperience in the courtroom. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will be preparing your case for trial from day one and be ready to go to trial and present an exceptional defense if that is the decision you make.
Contact the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been charged with criminal offense in Tennessee, consult with an experienced Murfreesboro criminal attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. In Tennessee contact a Murfreesboro criminal lawyer at Bennett, Michael & Hornsby to discuss your legal options. Contact the team today by calling 615-898-1560 to schedule your free appointment.
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