When we consider the legal system, it is hard to imagine sitting on the defense side of the courtroom. But the reality is that every lawsuit requires there to be wrongdoing and a wrongdoer in the flesh. It may be difficult to visualize yourself on the receiving end of the law, but this is the reality for tens of thousands of Americans every year. 2016 saw a two decade low in yearly criminal proceedings, but that number still surpassed an alarming 77,000 cases. The main issue in general misunderstanding of this process is that most Americans are ill prepared to defend their rights if the need arises. The utility value of a criminal lawyer is invaluable for those in legal jeopardy
Sure there are countless cop and lawyer dramas that have aired on television in the last few years alone, but the tidbits of information that may be gleaned from them are miniscule, misleading, or altogether inaccurate. No matter how much you think you know, you are no match for professional investigators and prosecutors.
As well, we often take for granted our rights to Fifth Amendment silence or completely misunderstand what it means and how to effectively invoke it. The facts are simple, lay persons just don’t understand how best to defend themselves in legal proceedings even in the most friendly of circumstances – never mind the more aggressive interrogation techniques or court motions that can be implemented to bend a suspect’s will. Netflix has begun capitalizing on these critical gaps in legal knowledge since its hit with “Making a Murderer” in 2015. The things we think we understand fascinate us, viewers are drawn to gaining knowledge about that which they believed to understand. One trend that this series of docudramas can hopefully raise the profile of is the absolutely essential nature of enlisting professional legal help for those who find themselves accused or simply questioned about a crime.
It remains a staple of the American justice system that suspects are to remain innocent until proven guilty. But if you find yourself being questioned by police, it can feel like they have made up their minds about an existence of your overwhelming guilt. You need to enlist help to defend your rights in this situation, whether your innocence is questioned in connection with drug or domestic disputes, DUI or other vehicular misconduct, or any other possible legal entanglement. Don’t make the mistake of waiting to secure legal counsel, as the longer you wait, the more opportunity the system has to crush you under the weight of the machine of justice.
This is not suggestive of a conspiracy to infringe upon your rights, it is indeed a comment on the methods by which law enforcement officials act and are empowered to enact. Law enforcement officials can attempt to trick you. They can cite nonexistent evidence that points to your involvement, and employ many other traps that fall well within the bounds of legality to extract a confession. You may not be well versed in these deceptive tactics, but your lawyer is.
Seeking legal help is essential to proving your innocence either before trial or in the court of law. This is a task that you cannot complete alone no matter the circumstances of your particular case. The average American is just not equipped to handle the pressure of legal jargon, filing procedures, and evidentiary review. As well, professional legal minds are experienced in crafting a tailored defense to highlight the flaws in the prosecution’s theories that you simply cannot foresee. Hiring a competent and compassionate lawyer is without a doubt your best chance – misidentified or not – of walking out of newly discovered legal trouble unscathed.