Recent research has shown that drug charges are not the only criminal offenses with high risks for those who try to represent themselves. In fact, defendants in all criminal proceedings have a higher chance of having their case dismissed or receiving a more lenient sentence if they hire an attorney rather than trying to go through it by themselves.
The following article will explore three consequences of fighting a drug charge on your own and why you might want to consider hiring an attorney before going any further.
1. You’re More Likely To Get a Longer Sentence
One of the most common consequences of representing yourself in court is that you will likely receive a longer sentence than if you hired a lawyer. This is because defendants who are convicted without representation have already proven that they lack knowledge of their rights to due process. The judges and prosecutors involved in your case are then more likely to view you as someone who won’t be as respectful of the justice system going forward, which can lead to unfair sentences or even convictions.
If you want the best possible results for your case, it’s important to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who understands how to get favorable outcomes in Philadelphia. And the more severe your charges are, the more critical it is that you have a strong attorney on your side as early as possible.
2. Your Case Will Take Longer To Complete
Another consequence of trying to handle your own case without legal representation is that it will take longer for proceedings to be completed. Your first step after being arrested should be to contact the best drug case lawyers in Philadelphia to discuss your case from start to finish. Many drug charges can take months or even years to fully resolve, and you will want your representative to be informed of all details as soon as possible in order to better plan a strategy for getting the best results. If you wait any longer before hiring an attorney, it could cause further delays in your trial.
3. You’re More Likely To Be Convicted
Perhaps the most serious consequence of trying to handle your own case without legal representation is that you are more likely to be convicted than if you hired a lawyer right away. Even small mistakes made early on can have major consequences later down the line when it comes time for sentencing and determining whether or not you will be allowed to serve probation or community service instead of serving time in jail. If your attorney has experience representing clients with drug charges, they are likely to get your sentence reduced as much as possible.
A DUI attorney in Philadelphia, PA drug lawyer can help you handle almost any aspect of a criminal case related to drugs and may be able to have the charges against you dropped completely. It’s important that you take action now if you want the best possible outcome, so call today before it’s too late! Your future is at stake when it comes to defending drug charges – don’t leave it to chance!