Do I need a lawyer to help me with my misdemeanor charges?

Sometimes it may seem as though you do not need an attorney to represent you for a misdemeanor charge. But it is always a good idea to hire good representation, even for a misdemeanor.

If you do not have an attorney to represent you, the State may offer something that sounds like a good deal. For example, if you were caught with a small amount of marijuana, they may offer you a deal where you are adjudicated guilty and complete some community service hours instead of going to jail. This may sound good. But what the State won’t tell you is that if you accept that offer, the adjudication will suspend your driver’s license for two years, and if you violate any terms of your probation you can be arrested and placed in jail for a new charge. If you have an attorney, the attorney can make sure that you are aware of any and all consequences. The attorney can also advise you if you should enter into any type of plea.

So technically there is no law that says you have to hire an attorney to represent you for a misdemeanor. But it is a very good idea to do so to make sure all of your rights are protected.

Posted in: Misdemeanor