Being charged with a crime is stressful. Often a person has no idea what happens next. A criminal charge can change the course of your future, as there are many collateral consequences a person can face. Such consequences can be for future employment, housing, immigration, or driver’s license. This is in addition to possible jail time, probation, and fines and costs.
So what should you do if you’ve been charged with a crime? Not to sound self-serving, but hire a lawyer. Don’t just hire any lawyer. Hire a criminal defense attorney.
Many Different Kinds of Attorneys
There are many types of attorneys out there. Some attorneys practice only criminal defense. Some attorneys practice only family law. Other attorneys might represent businesses. And then there are attorneys who may practice in different areas, such as a combination of estate planning, family, and criminal defense. There would be no reason to ever hire a non-criminal defense attorney for a criminal case. Why take that risk? While criminal defense seems straightforward, that’s only because the goals and objectives of criminal defense are straightforward. Other than that, criminal defense is increasingly complicated and specialized.