Hiring a criminal defense attorney before you are formally charged with a crime is an effective way to demonstrate you are serious about your situation. It is a direct action that shows that you are not simply hoping it will disappear, but instead are taking deliberate steps to address it appropriately.
The reality is that the most critical parts of a criminal case happen long before charges are filed. Having an attorney early on is a protective move and also a powerful sign that prosecutors will take note of. You are prepared to defend yourself vigorously.
For help with a criminal matter in Illinois, call the Chicago criminal defense lawyers at Glasgow & Olsson for experienced legal counsel and representation.
5 Reasons Why Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Change the Dynamic of Your Criminal Case
There are many reasons why having a criminal defense attorney on your side will improve your chances of securing the most ideal outcome. Here are five reasons why an attorney’s assistance establishes both credibility and seriousness.
Having an Attorney Sends a Clear Message to Prosecutors
Prosecutors often have to make quick decisions about each case before them. They have to determine whether charges should be filed, what charges are applicable, and how aggressively they will proceed with a criminal case. When an individual suspected of wrongdoing walks in with an attorney, an undeniable point is made.
This will not be a case where:
- Shortcuts are made.
- Assumptions are made.
- Various pre-determined narratives will go unchallenged.
Challenging the Story Before It Becomes the Record
Prosecutors will rely on evidence such as witness statements, police reports, and other findings from initial investigations. Some of this information can be incomplete, one-sided, or just outright wrong. An attorney can intervene at the very beginning of a case to challenge inaccuracies, present mitigating facts, and provide powerful context that may otherwise have been ignored.
Essentially, a legal professional’s involvement can prevent early impressions from being shaped by flawed intelligence, which can harden into the official version of events.
Ensuring Constitutional Protections are Enforced
After charges are filed, things can start to move quickly. Without defense counsel involved early, charging decisions and investigative steps may proceed without full consideration of legal limits or mitigating facts. It is imperative that law enforcement and prosecutors operate within constitutional limits.
An attorney will remind law enforcement of legal boundaries that exist and must be upheld. With stern and proactive engagement on your side, prosecutors are less likely to test limits knowing that you have an experienced advocate watching their every step.
Improve Your Negotiation Leverage
When you have legal counsel at the start of your case, this will strengthen your negotiation leverage. In other words, prosecutors may be more open to reducing charges, providing alternative resolutions, or even declining to prosecute you at all.
Indicates You Are a Responsible Individual
Early legal representation makes it crystal clear that you are a responsible person, which can influence how a prosecutor views you and your case. It is a way to reinforce the idea that your case deserves careful handling and that rushed decisions or hostile tactics will not be tolerated.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
Arming yourself with an attorney ensures that from the earliest stages of your case, you have someone standing between you and the system that can move fast and, potentially, in the wrong direction. In other words, an experienced, resourceful attorney with a proven track record of success is an invaluable asset to have as early in the process as possible.
At Glasgow & Olsson, we are widely recognized as a leading authority in Illinois criminal law. For this reason, Attorney Thomas T. Glasgow is a trusted legal voice who is regularly invited to appear on major networks, including ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox News.
When you need an attorney, experience matters.
Speak with our Chicago criminal defense attorneys today and learn how decades of trusted experience can protect what matters most to you.