Why You Should Never Go to Court Alone in Northern Virginia—Even for a First-Time Misdemeanor

If you are facing a criminal charge in Northern Virginia—even a first-time misdemeanor—one of the most important decisions you need to make is whether to hire an attorney. The outcome of your case could impact your life for years (or perhaps even decades) to come, so you need to ensure that you are making informed decisions with your long-term best interests in mind.

Does this mean that you should hire a Prince William County criminal defense attorney to represent you?

While you can represent yourself in court if you choose to do so, you also have the right to legal representation—and this right exists for a reason. In fact, there are several reasons why you should never go to court alone in Northern Virginia.

7 Reasons Why You Should Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney

From protecting yourself before trial to fighting for your freedom in court (if necessary), there are important ways an experienced Prince William County criminal defense attorney can help you throughout your criminal case. Here are seven reasons why you should always seek legal representation in Northern Virginia:

1. It Is Up to You to Protect Your Rights (and Prove Any Violations of Your Rights)

When you are facing a criminal charge in Northern Virginia, it is up to you to protect your rights. If you don’t hire an attorney, you will need to try to navigate the criminal justice process on your own, and you will need to be able to stand up for your rights effectively without help. Consider these questions:

• Should you request a jury trial?
• If you request a jury trial, how do you make sure you get an impartial jury?
• Is it possible that the police violated your rights during or after your arrest?
• What evidence are you entitled to obtain from the prosecutor’s office?
• How do you obtain this evidence, and how do you determine what it means for your case?

Protecting your rights starts with knowing what rights you have, and this requires an in-depth understanding of the statutory and constitutional principles that apply in Virginia criminal cases. If you don’t know your rights, if you don’t know what constitutes a violation, and if you don’t know when and how to assert your rights in court, you simply won’t be able to defend yourself effectively.

2. Prosecutors Are There to Convict You, and the Judge Is There to Apply the Law

This brings us to our next point: While many people assume that the prosecutor and judge will go easy on them if they handle their case pro se, this is not the case. Regardless of whether you hire an attorney, the prosecutor and the judge have jobs to do—and their jobs do not involve helping you when you haven’t taken steps to help yourself.

The prosecutor’s job is to fight for a conviction, and the judge’s job is to apply the law to the facts as they are presented in court. If you can’t fight back and if you can’t show the judge that the facts at hand do not warrant a conviction, you will be convicted in court.

3. You May Be Able to Avoid Unnecessary Consequences Without Going to Trial

Another common misconception among criminal defendants in Northern Virginia is that avoiding unnecessary consequences necessarily involves fighting for a “Not guilty” verdict at trial. While you might need to take your case to trial, you might also have options for seeking a favorable pre-trial resolution.

For example, some defendants (including many first-time offenders) are eligible to participate in diversion programs that allow them to avoid a conviction regardless of the facts at hand. Negotiating a plea deal is an option in many cases as well—provided that defendants know how to seek a deal and negotiate effectively.

4. There Are Several Potential Defenses to All Crimes in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Regardless of the facts of your case, you have defenses available. At an absolute minimum, you can argue that the prosecution’s evidence does not satisfy the Commonwealth’s burden of proof. But you can’t assert your defenses if you don’t know they exist.

5. There Are Also Several Mistakes that Can Lead to a Conviction You Could (and Should) Have Avoided

While you may have several options for protecting yourself during your criminal case in Northern Virginia, there are also several mistakes you need to avoid. If you don’t know what not to do during your criminal case, this can lead to unnecessary consequences as well.

6. An Appeal Isn’t a “Do Over,” and You Need to Protect Your Right to Appeal

Yet another common misconception among criminal defendants in Northern Virginia is that if you get convicted at trial, you can try again on appeal. Contrary to popular belief, an appeal is not a “do over” of your criminal case. Criminal convictions are only subject to appeal on limited grounds, and in order to be able to file an appeal on a particular issue, you must preserve the issue during your trial.

7. Criminal Convictions Can Have Serious Consequences Beyond Your Sentence in Court

Finally, even if you are facing a first-time misdemeanor, a criminal conviction will have serious consequences beyond your sentence in court. Having a conviction on your record can impact your education, your employment, your housing, your finances, and your family circumstances—and even these are just examples. A criminal conviction is truly a life-changing experience, and you owe it to yourself to protect your future by all means available.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Prince William County Criminal Defense Attorney

Even these are just examples. Criminal cases in Northern Virginia are extremely complex, and the criminal justice process presents numerous challenges for defendants. If you have questions about hiring a Prince William County criminal defense attorney, we strongly encourage you to contact us right away. To schedule a free consultation as soon as possible, call 703-897-1777 or tell us how we can reach you online now.