When Should You Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

Every criminal charge is serious. Whether you’ve been accused of a misdemeanor or a felony, what you do next will have a lasting impact on your future.

So, when should you hire a criminal defense attorney? If you’ve been arrested, charged, or questioned about a crime, you should contact an attorney immediately.

Being accused of a crime can be overwhelming. If you’re facing criminal charges, a Tacoma criminal defense lawyer can take on your case and build a strong defense.

When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

If you’ve been arrested, charged, or even questioned in connection with a crime, you should consult an attorney right away. Early involvement will give your lawyers the chance to protect your rights and start building a defense before law enforcement or prosecutors build their own.

Even if you believe you’re innocent, don’t assume the system will automatically sort things out. Criminal defense lawyers can protect your rights and ensure that you’re not punished for a crime you didn’t commit.

How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help Me?

Defense attorneys do far more than just argue in court. Some of the critical ways they can help include:

• Protecting your constitutional rights: Lawyers can make sure you’re not subjected to illegal searches, coerced confessions, or unfair treatment.
• Analyzing the evidence: Lawyers can review police reports, witness statements, and forensic tests to spot inconsistencies.
• Negotiating with prosecutors: Lawyers can push for reduced charges or lighter sentencing when possible.
• Building a defense strategy: Lawyers can develop a strong defense based on the facts of your case.
• Guiding you through the process: Lawyers can provide guidance at each step of the legal process.

What Defense Will My Criminal Defense Lawyer Use?

The exact defense your lawyers use will depend on the charges and evidence against you. That said, common strategies include:

• Challenging the evidence: Your lawyer can argue that key evidence was illegally obtained or is too unreliable to be used in court.
• Establishing reasonable doubt: Your lawyer can demonstrate that the prosecution cannot prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Presenting an alibi or alternate theory: Your lawyer can show that you were not present at the scene or that someone else may have committed the crime.
• Self–defense or justification: Your lawyer can argue that your actions were legally justified under the circumstances.
• Plea bargaining (when necessary): Your lawyer can negotiate for reduced charges or lighter penalties if avoiding trial is in your best interest.

How Often Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Win?

“Winning” in criminal law isn’t always about attaining an acquittal. It can also mean getting charges dismissed, reducing felonies to misdemeanors, or negotiating probation instead of jail time.

No lawyer can guarantee a win, but your chances of achieving a favorable outcome will be much higher with dedicated criminal defense attorneys by your side.

How Much Does a Defense Attorney Cost on Average?

Legal fees vary from case to case. The amount you pay will depend on a variety of factors, including the seriousness of the charges against you and the complexity of your case.

NextLaw offers payment plans to make our legal services as accessible as possible.

What Are the Risks of Representing Yourself?

Trying to represent yourself might seem like a good way to save money, but the decision comes with serious risks, such as:

• You likely don’t know courtroom procedure, which can hurt your case.
• You won’t understand how to challenge evidence effectively.
• Prosecutors will have the upper hand thanks to their legal knowledge.
• A mistake could cost you your freedom, job, or even custody of your children.

Why Choose NextLaw?

At NextLaw, we understand what’s at stake when you’re facing criminal charges. Our team combines aggressive courtroom advocacy with strategic negotiation to get results.

Clients choose us because:

• We have extensive experience handling all kinds of criminal cases.
• We craft personalized defense strategies for each and every client.
• We prioritize communication and keep you informed at every step.
• Our defense attorneys are former prosecutors with over 100 combined jury trials to their credit.

What to Do if You’ve Been Charged With a Crime

If you’ve been charged with a crime, time is of the essence. Here’s what you should do:

• Stay silent: Do not answer questions from police or investigators without your lawyer present. Anything you say can be used against you.
• Contact a lawyer: Reach out to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible so they can start building your defense.
• Avoid social media: Do not post about your case online, since even casual comments can be taken out of context and used as evidence against you.
• Write down details: Record everything you remember about your arrest or the incident you’ve been arrested for while the details are still fresh in your mind.
• Follow your lawyers’ instructions: It’s crucial to comply with all instructions from your attorneys, including how to behave in court and what to avoid saying.

Call a Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If you’re facing criminal charges, how you respond will make all the difference. Don’t risk your future by waiting to seek legal help or trying to handle your case on your own.

Call Dan Next to learn about how the attorneys at NextLaw, who have successfully defended thousands of clients in Washington, can help fight your charges.