You may have the right to represent yourself on a North Carolina criminal charge but it is not in your best interest to do so. Even licensed attorneys understand that it is better not to represent themselves should they have to go to court (hence the adage, “an attorney who represents themselves has a fool for a client”). If you act as your own attorney, the court is required to treat you the same way they would treat any other party who is represented by legal counsel, and will require you to follow the same rules and understand the law as if you had a law license.
There are numerous court rules and laws specific to a North Carolina criminal charge. If you do not understand these rules or the law as it applies to the alleged criminal offense, you are risking your freedom on your ability to navigate the court system and understand complex legal theories and laws. It is much wiser to contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers of The Trevor J. Avery Law Firm, LLP to ensure that your rights are protected with regard to a North Carolina criminal charge. We use our many years of experience and our knowledge of the law to develop a solid defense to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.
Why Do I Need an Attorney for a North Carolina Criminal Charge?
Being charged with a crime is a serious matter and you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you in the criminal proceedings for several reasons.
Knowledge of the Law
Attorneys spend years studying the law to learn about legal procedure, criminal defense, rules of evidence and the code of law. It is not practical to think that you can learn all of the information necessary to prepare your defense in such a short time frame. Beyond “book knowledge,” a good criminal defense attorney will also be able to draw on years of past experience handling similar cases and will know how the law can be applied to a particular set of facts and circumstances. Ideally, a defense attorney would have both knowledge and experience to put to work for a client.
Resources
Attorneys have resources available that aid in your defense such as investigators, expert witnesses, access to legal libraries and texts and an entire legal staff. The average person does not have these resources and does not know where to look to obtain these resources.
Local Experience
Experience gives an attorney the ability to look at a case and know what issues he should pursue. Beyond generalized knowledge of the law, a lawyer with experience practicing before a particular court or jurisdiction is going to have familiarity with the nuances of that legal system. Even though the rules are mostly the same, there can be local rules that greatly modify how cases are handled. Every judge and prosecutor has their own personality, expectations and leanings, and knowing these unwritten aspects can make the difference between success and failure.
Contact an Experienced Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorney
“Attorneys Who Aggressively Protect Your Rights”
The Trevor J. Avery Law Firm, LLP is a full-service Jacksonville Criminal and Civil law firm that is committed to providing results-driven legal representation to businesses and individuals seeking an alternative to large-firm representation. We focus on getting you the results you want while offering you a cost-effective solution to your legal needs. We understand that we work for our clients; therefore; our attorneys communicate regularly with each client to ensure that the client knows what is going with the case.
When you have legal problems, you need an experienced legal professional in your corner. No matter the case, you should have an attorney working for you who knows the law and who has the experience to get results. We represent clients throughout Duplin County, Onslow County and the surrounding communities. Call our office at (910) 405-8459 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.