People often know they need a lawyer but don’t know what they do…

While almost every potential client I meet knows they need a lawyer and that an attorney can help them, I am often shocked they do not realize the extent of the services provided. 

An attorney can help investigate

A lawyer will discuss your case with you and determine what we need to investigate. The lawyer will obtain information from the defense and the state and get all the evidence connecting a client to the charge. After a review of all evidence tying a client to the case, there are potential areas to investigate that the police or investigators could have overlooked.  

Make a Case

You must have a case presented against you to be in this situation. A lawyer’s job is to assist and guide you to gather and organize the facts needed to disprove the prosecution’s case. 

Help You Make Decisions

A lawyer will help you remain calm and less stressed than if you were to represent yourself. They will help you make informed decisions. With information given to you and everything explained, you will have options, and your lawyer will discuss all these with you. 

Emotionally

It is stressful when working on a criminal case or while your case is pending. Because of the stress and fear, often, people do not react level-headed. In many instances in which people represent themselves, they cannot keep their composure. That is why a lawyer is there to help look at this information with you and explain it. Plus, the lawyers will be the ones who will be speaking to the prosecution. 

What a Criminal Lawyer Will Do for You

A criminal lawyer defends you against a current open criminal case. This includes any charge classified as a crime, from a traffic citation to murder. They will listen to your story and compare it to the district attorney’s. Usually, this will be the state against you; however, it could also be another person against you. The lawyer will take all the facts and determine a plea deal in your favor. They will also investigate the case and outline the weak points in the prosecutor’s case. These weak spots can help you. Keep reading to learn more about what a lawyer can do for you. 

 Negotiation

If you do not have a lawyer representing you, negotiating a deal with the prosecution will be difficult. Negotiating can be difficult for a few different reasons. First, you do not know how to talk and listen to a seasoned prosecutor. There is an art to the language they use. You may not know how to remain calm and intact. Lawyers help with this process because, as the defendant, you are not obligated to talk to the prosecution with the representation of a lawyer. 

 Keep You Grounded 

Needing to stay grounded may seem strange, but a lawyer can help you understand the real-world ramifications of the prosecutor’s case. This means that the lawyer can help keep the stress at a lower level for their client. Another way a lawyer helps keep their client grounded is by running all the possibilities by the defendant. Knowing all the options and how the facts can play out at trial helps ensure you do not rush into strategies that may worsen things. 

 Decisions 

If you do not know the law, you will not be making informed decisions about your case. A lawyer will have all the information and experience needed to help you make the best decisions possible while working on the case with you. The lawyer will outline what they deem best in your situation. Keep in mind every case is different and handled differently. 

 Information

You may not be able to obtain the information needed if you represent yourself. A lawyer will gather all the legal documents and information necessary to help represent you in the case. They will be sure to review it to determine the next move. 

Keep in mind the laws and interpretations are continually changing. As rulings come down from different courts and jurisdictions, these rules are apt to change. 

If you or someone you know has a question about the role of their lawyer and if a lawyer can help them, do not hesitate to contact the law office of Larrion L. Hillman at 318-549-9810. This blog is not intended as legal advice, nor does it form an attorney-client relationship. Larrion Hillman practices criminal defense in Caddo Parish, Webster Parish, Bossier Parish, Shreveport, and Bossier City, Louisiana. And remember, keep calm and let Hillman handle it.