Individuals facing misdemeanor charges may think that it is unnecessary to retain an attorney to fight their case. While there is no requirement to have an attorney represent an individual for a misdemeanor charge, there are several benefits to having a criminal defense team by your side during this trying time.
Advantages of Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney for a Misdemeanor Charge
Negotiation of Jail Time
When working with a criminal defense team, you can make clear your main objections for the desired outcome for your case. For many, that includes avoiding jail. If you share with your attorney that you are willing to pay a fine or be on probation in lieu of spending time behind bars, your attorney can make those negotiations to the prosecutor for you. Trying to negotiate with a prosecutor on your own may not result in the same results.
Avoiding a Criminal Record
A misdemeanor may not seem like an offense that could hold you back from getting a job or renting an apartment. However, that is not always the case. Depending on the type of misdemeanor crime, it can and will prevent some individuals from being selected for certain jobs or even getting an apartment. Having a criminal record can be more debilitating than one may think, so it’s best to not have one at all.
While an attorney may not be able to make all criminal charges go away, they can potentially negotiate a reduced charge that would not have the same potential consequences if the original charge had stuck.
Protecting Your Driving Record
If you were charged with a DUI, even though the crime is usually considered a misdemeanor, the ripple effect is more than many may think. Sometimes, a DUI charge that didn’t result in a serious accident can be reduced to a minor traffic offense. Not having a DUI on your driving record versus a smaller minor traffic offense can be the difference between getting a job where driving is required or not getting the job at all.
How Meade Law Group Can Help
The criminal defense team at Meade Law Group understands how critical it is to have a clean record. We are ready to help fight your case so you can get back to living your life. Reach out to us online or by phone at (423) 464-7779 for a free consultation.
