If you have an upcoming court case, you might not be sure if you want to hire a lawyer or not. Many people choose to defend themselves in court, but there are a few things that you should know about hiring a lawyer before you choose not to. These are five things that many people don't know but that can help you make things easier on yourself in regards to your court case.
1. They Often Take Multiple Payments
Don't assume that you have to pay the entire lawyer fee in one lump sum. Instead, call and ask. Many attorneys are willing to break their fees up into payments, which can make things much more manageable.
2. It Can Be Cheaper Than Hiring a Court-Appointed Lawyer
In many cases, you still have to pay for a court-appointed lawyer; you are simply allowed to make payments toward your lawyer fees as a condition of your probation or through another agreement with the court. Many people think that court-appointed lawyers are free or are much cheaper than private lawyers, but this often isn't the case. If you shop around for a lawyer who charges reasonable rates, you might actually find that it's cheaper.
3. They Can Usually Put Your Court Date Off for You
There are a lot of situations in which it can be helpful to put off your court date. You might need time to get your money together, for example, or you could be going out of town. In many cases, your lawyer can put off your court date longer than you can on your own. In some situations, he or she can even do so if you aren't able to show up for court.
4. They Offer Free Consultations
A lot of attorneys offer free consultations, so don't assume that you'll have to pay out of pocket just to talk to a legal adviser. A good lawyer will meet with you and tell you more about your case without charging you a dime.
5. They Can Help You Get a Better Outcome in Court
Even if you are planning on pleading guilty, don't assume that you'll get the same outcome in court if you represent yourself. In many cases, attorneys can help you get a better outcome by picking more lenient judges and district attorneys and by helping you properly prepare for your court date.
Don't make assumptions about hiring an attorney. Instead, consider sitting down for a meeting with one like David M Lowe Attorney At Law; if you do, you might find that you can benefit significantly by hiring a lawyer for your upcoming court case.
