Criminal
Lawyers Of
Washington, DC

1821 Jefferson PL, Ste. 302
Washington, DC 20036

  • Home
  • Credentials Matter
  • Criminal Law Information
    • Drunk Driving
    • Assault Lawyer
    • Traffic Offense Lawyer
    • Battery Charge
  • Blog
  • Free Case Evaluation

March 20, 2020 by admin

Why Self-Representation is a Bad Idea in Criminal Cases

Criminal Lawyer

You have been accused and charged with a crime. You express your innocence, but you feel every attorney you speak to is judgmental and has already decided you are guilty. Instead of hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer, you decide that maybe it is in your best interest to represent yourself. After all, you are the only one who believes in your innocence, right? Wrong. First, a defense attorney doesn’t need to believe in your innocence to fight for you. Second, even if you are innocent, you should be more concerned with finding an experienced attorney. Finally, it is never a good idea to represent yourself in a criminal trial for several reasons.

Lack of Knowledge

How many years did you attend law school? Criminal law is a complex subject that requires years of dedication to master the basics. An experienced attorney is the best-qualified person to argue your defense. They will know the details of the law, case precedence and any loopholes that could be beneficial to your case. Also, in the off chance that you are an attorney, it is still not a good idea to argue your own case because of the chance of emotional outbursts.

Lack of Experience

Similar to knowledge and education, experience is also essential to a successful defense. Finding a criminal defense attorney with years of trial experience can benefit your case tremendously. You might be arguing that you have experience in a courtroom, but what is that experience? Did you fight a traffic ticket, or argue a civil matter? If so, neither situation is remotely equivalent to arguing a criminal case, especially as the defendant.

Lack of Existing Relationships

An experienced criminal defense lawyer also has the benefit of working alongside prosecutors and judges. While these relationships will not and should not lead to any unethical practices, knowing these individuals can lead to productive plea negotiations. Also, a familiarity with judges can help you avoid judges that are especially harsh when it comes to sentencing for specific charges.

Lack of Awareness

Arguing a criminal case involves balancing deadlines, witness prep and several other delicate issues. If you are not familiar with all phases of a criminal trial, then you would be doing yourself a tremendous disservice to represent yourself. Let someone who understands the intricacies of the process take the reins.

While you might be feeling like self-representation is the best path forward at the moment, don’t forget to take an honest look at your skills to identify what is lacking. Contact a licensed and practiced attorney, like a criminal defense attorney in San Francisco, CA from the Morales Law Firm, to discuss your case.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Criminal Lawyer

COLUMBIA, MD CRIMINAL LAW RESOURCES

  • Home
  • Credentials Matter
  • Criminal Law Information
    • Drunk Driving
    • Assault Lawyer
    • Traffic Offense Lawyer
    • Battery Charge
  • Blog
  • Free Case Evaluation

WASHINGTON DC CRIMINAL LAW RESOURCES

DUI Lawyer DC
Washington, DC Criminal Law Firm
Washington, DC Criminal Lawyer
Washington, DC Drunk Driving Lawyer
Washington, DC Assault Lawyer
Washington, DC Traffic Offense Lawyer

Other Resources


Washington, DC Medical Injury Lawyer
Washington, DC Service Truck Accident Lawyer
DC Injury Lawyers

Car Accident Lawyer Indianapolis IN
Find a Divorce Lawyer Cypress, TX
Personal Injury Blog
African American Personal Injury Attorney Atlanta, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Los Angeles CA

Free Consultation

Request a free consultation with one of Washington DC's premier criminal law firms.

Request Free Consultation

© COPYRIGHT 2025 CRIMINAL LAWYERS OF WASHINGTON, DC | POWERED BY MATADOR SOLUTIONS - INTERNET MARKETING COMPANY