Every defendant accused of a crime faces seasoned police and prosecutors. If you’ve been charged with an offense, your criminal defense attorney may be the only individual in the process who is concerned with protecting your interests and knows how to achieve a fair and just outcome. These legal professionals offer an array of benefits to anyone who finds themselves caught up in the criminal justice system.

Top Reasons to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

1. Protecting Your Rights in an Interrogation

Police officers are trained to elicit incriminating statements from suspects. Having an attorney sit with you during the interrogation will help you avoid inadvertently assisting the state in building a case against you and ensure that officers behave appropriately.

2. Explaining the Charges

The criminal justice system is extremely complex, so many defendants don’t even understand the charges against them or the potential consequences of a conviction. Your criminal defense attorney will carefully explain the situation, identify all of your legal options, and evaluate your chances of success before choosing a defense strategy.

3. Negotiating a Plea Deal

Approximately 95% of criminal cases are resolved by plea bargain, but prosecutors typically refuse to negotiate with defendants who represent themselves. Attorneys, however, can leverage the threat of an extensive trial and their own understanding of the law to negotiate for lesser charges or a reduced sentence, helping achieve the most favorable outcome possible.

4. Arguing Your Case in Court

If you do decide to go to trial, a successful outcome may depend entirely on the skills and resources of your criminal defense attorney. To build a compelling defense, many lawyers will conduct their own investigation, call expert witnesses, and argue your case before the court.

If you’ve been accused of a crime in Ohio’s Clermont County, the criminal defense attorneys at Nichols, Speidel & Nichols will provide the aggressive, effective representation you need. Since 1926, this Batavia law firm has been fighting for the rights of defendants accused of minor misdemeanors, serious felonies, and everything in between. To discuss your case and schedule a consultation, visit them online or call their offices at (513) 732-1420.