Many people struggle with knowing whether or not they actually need an attorney when they have been charged with a crime. In some instances – like to fight a speeding ticket or go to small claims court – an attorney may not be necessary. However, in many other situations, having an attorney by your side can make all the difference in the world. If you find yourself in the middle of a legal dispute or situation where another person was at-fault for your injuries, it may be in your best interest to hire an experienced attorney who understands your case. Lawyers are looked at as trusted advisors that can help anyone from an individual involved in a serious car accident to a small business just starting out.

Each individual’s legal situation is different, which can make it difficult to provide a cut and dry answer as to whether or not you need an attorney. With this in mind, it may be a good idea to schedule a consultation with an attorney before actually hiring them. This way you will be able to sit down with a knowledgeable legal advisor and get information about your case and legal rights. At this point you can choose whether or not to hire them as your representative. Examples of when it is generally recommended that you have an attorney by your side include when you have been convicted of a DUI or have been involved in an accident. While very different, both of these charges can have drastic repercussions that an attorney can help navigate. Let’s now look at the top 10 reasons why you may want to consider hiring an attorney:

1. An Attorney Understands the Law – First and foremost, an attorney is an expert on the ins and outs of the law, including various legal processes, documents, and deadlines. Many people miss out on monetary compensation because they did not hire a lawyer.
2. An Attorney Will Improve Your Odds of Winning – The law is complicated, no matter how much you think you know. Whether you are going up against an insurance agency, a corporation, or an individual, an attorney will help improve your odds of coming out a winner.
3. An Attorney Has Your Best Interests in Mind – Lawyers are motivated to help their clients and will do everything they can to ensure they win their case. It is extremely beneficial to have someone who is experienced with working against insurance companies and large corporations by your side because they know what it takes to get the highest settlement.
4. Not Having a Lawyer Could Cost You – Many people do not realize this, but not having a lawyer may actually cost you more money than hiring one from the start.
5. An Attorney Will Know How to File Court Documents – One of the biggest hang-ups people discover when taking a case to court is meeting all the deadlines and properly filing court documents. When not done correctly, court documents can delay or even completely derail your case.
6. An Attorney Can Take Your Case to Trial – Depending on what type of situation you find yourself in, you may need an attorney to actually take your case to trial. Having an attorney by your side will show the other side that you mean business and aren’t willing to back down.
7. An Attorney Can Explain Your Rights – For many people, it can be intimidating to figure out how to plead or even what pleading is. People often get ‘trapped’ into certain convictions because they simply did not understand what they were agreeing to. An attorney can make sure this doesn’t happen.
8. An Attorney Can Strike a Plea Bargain or Settlement – An experienced attorney will likely have seen cases like yours and will therefore know the best way to resolve it. In some instances, this means entering into a plea bargain or settling outside of court.
9. When the Other Party Has a Lawyer – If the other party involved in your case has hired an attorney, it would be smart for you to do the same. People without attorneys are typically at a disadvantage when the other party has brought on legal representation.
10. An Attorney Will Provide Free Legal Advice – Here at AMA Law, we offer free consultations to ensure no one is left in the dark when it comes to the charges they are facing. Call today to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys so that we can help guide you in the right direction.