Decatur Lawyer
A Decatur Lawyer Explains 7 Reasons You Should Not Represent Yourself in a Criminal Case
The Lynch Law Group was named on the list of Georgia’s Top Rated Lawyers from 2012 until 2016 due to their work of defending people against various crimes they were accused of. The Lynch Law Group has also received the status of AV Preeminent, which is the highest possible rating for a lawyer’s legal skills.
The Lynch Law Group deals with DUI defense, first lifetime arrest, and drug deal cases, to name a few of their practice areas. They deal with misdemeanors and felony defenses, as well as defend against illegal search and seizure cases, and may even handle your case on a federal level if it goes that far.
Their motto is that every case should be prepared as if it is going to go to trial, even though we know that not every case will go to trial. The reasoning behind this motto is that preparing a case for trial is a long and complex process, and many lawyers may avoid doing the groundwork unless they know their case will go to court.
Being ready for trial, at least in the eyes of the Lynch Law Group, is the best way to ensure your case is ready to go to court if it has too. You can prepare all legal defenses, look through all potential outcomes and more. By being prepared for every potential outcome, you can ensure you have gathered the witnesses you may need, experts, evidence and more.
Ensuring you have the advantage in every case your Decatur, Georgia, will make you feel safe working alongside them. They investigate the officers involved in your case, witnesses, evidence, and leave no stones unturned. The Lynch Law Group is the law office that will get you your best results.
The power behind being prepared for court is that you can say you are ready, and it gives you power in the courtroom because the truth of the matter is that the lawyer who is most familiar with the facts of the case are going to end up winning their cases more often than not.
There’s no bluffing to the court about being prepared for trial, and the reputation of being prepared for court leaves us with power and that power can get you the best deals possible.
Reach out to The Lynch Law Group today for your cases in Decatur, Georgia. But before working with a lawyer from the Lynch Law Group, you should better understand how they function. They understand how emotion plays into law and court, and they know how to move forward with you in a manner that will make you feel safe working alongside them. This is important because if you are going before the court for a criminal charge, whether it’s federal or not, you will want a lawyer that you know is on your side.
A Decatur lawyer understands how hard it is to trust other people, especially when you are the one who will suffer from the potential consequences if something goes wrong. However, when dealing with criminal charges, it is necessary to understand your limitations. While you might think that defending yourself is a good idea, consider the following reasons before moving forward on your own. And remember, you can get a free consultation from the team at The Lynch Law Group.
- Emotions
While you might feel that your motivation to stay out of prison represents a passion that cannot be matched by any Decatur lawyer, it is necessary to understand that your emotions are not equivalent to legal expertise. Also, the stress and anxiety you are possibly feeling while motivating to some degree can lead to trial mistakes, especially if you are not familiar with the trial process.
- Experience
Next, consider your experience. Are you a licensed lawyer in Decatur? Have you ever represented yourself before? There is a reason that attorneys take years to study and pass the bar exam before getting licensed. The law is complex, as is the system charged with managing it. Therefore, do not confuse passion or emotion with experience and expertise.
- Negotiations
Along with proper education, a Decatur lawyer knows the laws and will understand all charges against you. They might also have significant experience with your type of case. Therefore, with a better understanding, a Decatur lawyer will know if they have room to negotiate your charges down to something lesser. Potentially, these negotiations can lead to reduced sentencing possibilities or a plea deal with no jail time.
- Plea Arrangements
In the overburdened criminal justice system, prosecutors often offer plea deals to free up the courts. However, not all of these deals are created equal. Without proper experience and knowledge, you might accept an agreement that is not in your best interest. A professional and licensed Decatur lawyer will be able to provide you with honest feedback about any plea arrangements so that you know if you are getting a good deal.
- Relationships
Most legal professionals run into each other frequently, and these encounters mean that they are familiar with the tactics and skill sets of potential prosecutors on your case. Therefore, a Decatur lawyer can use his or her knowledge to provide a strategic defense against a specific prosecutor’s style.
- Jail Time
Last, a skilled and licensed Decatur lawyer is better able to argue for leaner sentencing successfully. You, especially if you are not a licensed and practiced attorney, will likely jeopardize your case and wind up serving a longer sentence than you had to.
How You Can Help Your Attorney
When you have been charged with a crime, you want to know you are getting an attorney who will help you navigate the court proceedings and argue a strong defense. These factors are essential to anyone facing criminal charges. However, you may be wondering how you can help your criminal defense lawyer in Decatur. Whenever someone is facing criminal charges, they are faced with the decision to hope that the charges are reduced or dropped or to do everything they can to help their attorney get the charges reduced or dropped. Read more to see how you can help your attorney.
Learn How to Help Your Attorney
When you hire an attorney, you may think everything is out of your hands now. This is not true. Your attorney is there to gather evidence, create a moving argument, and show why you are not guilty. But that does not mean the situation is entirely out of your hands. The more you give to your attorney, the more they will be able to help. As you are preparing to work with your attorney, consider the information below.
- Talk about cost upfront. The cost can be a hang-up for many people, and you don’t want to get halfway through only to be surprised about what hiring an attorney will cost you. Make this one of the first things you talk about when you have a consultation with your attorney.
- Be open with your attorney. When it comes to being honest with people while you are a defendant in a criminal case, your attorney is the only person you should talk openly with. It is your attorney’s job to defend you, and they can only do this to the best of their ability when you answer their questions truthfully. Remember that you have attorney-client privilege.
- Don’t make statements to the police. You may think that if you have an excellent defense, it will be evident to the police that you are innocent, and this whole thing will go away. This is likely not the case. They are looking for anything they can use for their investigation.
- Don’t take your time getting information to your attorney. This can be one of the most harmful things you can do for your case. Do you have contact information for eyewitnesses? Do you know someone who has security footage that could help your case? Be prompt when getting this information to your attorney.
- Ask what options are available. While ideally a lawyer will be able to get you out with little to any time served this may not always be the most likely scenario. Instead it’s important to ask your attorney what all the options available are and the likelihood of success. While it may be a difficult conversation to have it’s important to be realistic.
- If you are currently imprisoned, stay out of trouble. If you’re currently incarcerated awaiting a trial the last thing you want to do is to cause any unnecessary conflict while in prison and should remain on your best behavior. This doesn’t mean you have to befriend all the guards, but keeping to yourself can go a long way to showcase to your lawyer and the court that you’re not an endangerment to society.
Don’t let ego get in your way. Speak with a trusted lawyer Decatur relies on. Call The Lynch Law Group today to speak with a lawyer in Decatur, Georgia now.
How to Find the Right Lawyer
Are you looking for a lawyer who can help you? If so, you have probably realized that there are lots of legal professionals in the area who would love your business. Therefore, you must take the time to find the right lawyer to meet your needs. The right lawyer for one person is not necessarily the right lawyer for someone else. Therefore, take a look at some important factors you should consider before you hire a Decatur lawyer, such as The Lynch Law Group.
Consider the Specialty
First, you need to consider the area of the law in which the lawyer specializes. Similar to doctors, lawyers tend to specialize in a certain area. For example, you might be looking through a criminal defense lawyer. Or, you might be looking for someone who can help you after a motor vehicle accident. There are other lawyers who specialize in immigration and constitutional law. Most lawyers will display their practice areas on their websites.
Ask for a List of References
Before you purchase a product online, do you take a look at prior reviews and ratings? You need to do the same thing before you hire a lawyer. Any Decatur lawyer who is serious about winning your business should provide you with a list of references. Make sure you reach out to a few of these references to ask them what their experiences were like. If they have good things to say, you may have found the right lawyer to help here.
Consider Prior Verdicts and Settlements
Finally, before you hire a lawyer, you should also think about prior verdicts and settlements. Most lawyers will have a list of prior verdicts and settlements ready. What percentage of their cases go to trial? What percentage of their cases end and a successful verdict? You should ask about prior case results because this could be indicative of your experience. Consider the track record of the lawyer before you decide to hire him or her to help you.
Find the Right Lawyer To Meet Your Needs
These are just a few of the many factors you need to consider if you are looking for a lawyer to help you. If you are looking for a Decatur lawyer, think about prior experience and cases. Then, hire a legal expert, such as a member of The Lynch Law Group, who can help you make sure that your rights are adequately protected.
Tips to Keep in Mind When Facing Criminal Charges
Working with a Decatur lawyer may be critical to providing those charged with crimes protection from the significant consequences they may be facing. Being investigated, prosecuted, and possibly convicted of a crime can be an incredibly stressful time in a person’s life, and if convicted, the life you once knew could drastically change. Thus, it will be critical to contact The Lynch Law Group to support you in taking the proper steps towards managing the situation. Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you find yourself facing criminal charges:
Tip #1: Stay Calm
A criminal charge can feel as though the rug has been pulled out from under you. Your mind will be whirling with fear and anxiety over what will happen next, the process, and the possible consequences and impact on your life if convicted. While these are all natural responses, one of the most important things you can do is remain as calm as possible. Resisting arrest and arguing with law enforcement can make matters worse and result in you doing or saying something incriminating.
Tip #2: Write Down Everything You Remember
While events that have transpired are still fresh in your mind, you must take the time to write down everything you remember of the incident. This should include everything that occurred leading up to your arrest, the time of the arrest, and following the arrest. Not only will this offer insight for your Decatur lawyer, but it may also help them identify ways they can represent you. In some cases, they may even identify something that occurred that may get the charges reduced or dropped altogether.
Tip #3: Exercise Your Miranda Rights
If you are arrested, law enforcement will read to you your Miranda Rights. Within these rights is the “right to remain silent.” Even if police attempt to ask you questions at the scene, or bring you in for questioning, remember that anything you say can be used against you in your case. If the police ask questions or have brought you in for questioning, request that your lawyer be present before answering any of their questions.
Tip #4: Do Not Speak to Law Enforcement Without a Lawyer
In some situations, speaking with the police may seem innocent enough. However, even if you have not been charged yet, you must know that the police’s questions are to build their case against you. It’s typically in your best interest to ask that your lawyer be present for questioning or at least consult with them first about how best to move forward. The last thing you want is to share incriminating information or make matters worse.
Tip #5: Refrain from Posting on Social Media
Social media is such a significant part of people’s lives, and, in some cases, it may be tempting to share your story on social media. Refrain from posting on your own social media page or comment on posts shared by others. It’s not uncommon for law enforcement to review social media accounts and potentially use the information against you.
Tip #6: Refrain from Talking to People
In addition to refraining from posting on social media it’s also good practice to refrain from speaking about the situation with people in real life as well. Although your most immediate loved ones will probably want to know what is going on and to a certain extent it might be impossible to not communicate with them about the situation, you should still do so under the discretion of your attorney’s advice. Additionally, it’s best not to tell other people as well even if you believe they are trustworthy. Word can travel fast especially if you happen to have the conversation in a public setting.
Tip #7: Keep Your Mind Focused on Other Things
Whether you’re out on bail or are temporary in jail it’s important to try to keep your mind occupied on other things. There will be time to deal with the case and that time is when you’re working with your lawyer. Otherwise, it’s best to try to live your life normally and engage in hobbies or interests that can keep your mind off the case. Doing so will eliminate any extra, unneeded stress.
The Lynch Law Group knows that you will be under a tremendous amount of pressure, which is why the time to act by obtaining legal assistance is now. The sooner someone charged with a crime takes control of the situation by contacting a lawyer, the better opportunity they have to receive the best possible outcome in the wake of criminal charges. We are dedicated to helping you and will work tirelessly to represent you during this incredibly challenging time. The time to act is now, by contacting our Decatur, Georgia lawyer to schedule a consultation with our team.
Common Myths About Getting Arrested
Getting arrested for a crime can be one of the most nerve-wracking times of your life. You’re worried about going to jail and how this will affect your future job prospects. It’s important to know the facts about getting arrested so that you don’t make costly mistakes. Here are some common myths about getting arrested that you shouldn’t believe.
- If the police lie to you, your charge will be dropped. It’s not uncommon for police to lie to defendants when questioning them. The unfortunate part is that it’s not illegal, so they can get away with it. That’s why you should never trust what the police tell you. Avoid speaking to them at all costs.
- If you committed the crime, you should just plead guilty. Some defendants assume that if they actually committed the crime, they have no choice but to plead guilty right away. However, this isn’t so. Even if you’re guilty of the crime, it’s not in your best interest to plead guilty before talking to an experienced Decatur lawyer. He or she can investigate your case and negotiate a more lenient plea bargain with the prosecution.
- You can only be charged with a crime if a person presses charges. People who are victims of criminal acts can decide if they want to press charges or not. However, even if someone doesn’t press charges, it doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. It’s up to the prosecution on whether you are charged with a crime or not.
- All criminal cases go to trial. This isn’t true at all. The reality is that most criminal cases get settled out of court. The defendant’s lawyer may work out a plea bargain with the prosecution. However, if there isn’t sufficient evidence against you, it may be beneficial to take your case to trial.
- Police can’t search your property without a search warrant. If a police officer can establish probable cause, a search warrant isn’t required to search your quality. For instance, if a police officer pulls you over for speeding and sees illegal drugs on your dashboard, he or she can search your vehicle.
- If you have no past criminal record, the prosecution will go easy on you. Even if this is the first time you’ve been arrested, you may still face harsh penalties. It highly depends on the nature of the crime. For example, if you operated a vehicle while drunk and hurt another person, you may face jail time.
Common Myths About Getting Arrested Infographic
