Many people don’t know that defending yourself in a Miami, FL court can be a very risky thing to do. This is especially true if you are the one who is accused of the crime. Even if you are innocent, the prosecution may be able to convince the judge that you are the bad guy. It is not only bad for your reputation, but you could even end up spending years in jail.

In this post, I will explain why you should never defend yourself in court.

Lawyers have training

If you are arrested on criminal charges in Miami, it is probably best to not attempt to save money and go to court to fight the charges. Doing so will only cost you more money and time.

Attorneys must go through extensive legal training and pass an exam in order to become lawyers. In addition, criminal law is complex and nuanced, so much can, and usually does, go wrong when defendants decide to be their own counsel in court.

High chance you could go to jail

Unlike in civil cases, where defendants often only face fines or other monetary penalties, in Miami criminal court, you could actually end up going to prison if you get convicted. Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony, the chances are that you could go to jail.

It’s not easy to obtain a good plea bargain. Miami defense lawyers often negotiate deals with prosecutors for their clients on crimes that are far less serious than those for which they’re standing trial.

However, prosecutors are usually less willing to negotiate directly with defendants than with other attorneys.

Lawyers knows the intricacies of the justice system

A non-lawyer knows little about the intricacies of the Florida criminal justice system. Criminal defense lawyers in Miami on the other hand are usually much better equipped to navigate the complex system of justice. Lawyers know the ins and outs of the law and can take the necessary steps to secure a plea deal.

A non-lawyer though may be unaware of the subtleties of the law. For example, some people think that a prosecutor is only allowed to prosecute a person for a crime that is a “felony.” In fact, prosecutors can also charge defendants with a “misdemeanor,” which can lead to jail time.

The law is much more nuanced than many people think. In addition, a prosecutor can charge you with one or more counts of a crime, and you may be facing more than one count.

Your lawyer can best present your case

When you defend yourself in court, you will be at a grave disadvantage. The prosecution will be represented by a lawyer, who will have training in presenting a case. In addition, the prosecutor will have a detailed case against you.

The prosecution will be prepared to argue why they believe you committed the crime, why you should be held responsible for the crime, and why the punishment should be severe. In addition, they will be able to present all of the facts of the case and will be able to rebut any evidence that you may present.