Do you always need a lawyer?
No, but it comes with a high risk. Fighting a speeding ticket and going to small claims courts are two examples where you do not need a lawyer. However, in most situations involving a legal issue, you may not wish to chance the risks of going it alone without the advice of an experienced attorney who can help you out. In fact, while good legal representation may not be cheap, it will save you in the long run. As the saying goes: Doing it cheap, always comes out expensive.
While each person’s legal situation is different, there are times when you really should hire a lawyer. Below are the top ten reasons.
- The law is complicated. If you are not a lawyer you probably have no business acting like one in certain instances. Even experienced lawyers typically do not represent themselves in court. A good case can quickly fall apart without the help of an experienced and objective attorney.
- Not having a lawyer may actually cost you more. Remember, doing it cheap, always comes out expensive.
- Lawyers know how to challenge evidence. You may not even know that a key piece of evidence against you was improperly obtained or that the testimony of a witness contradicts an earlier statement. What shortcuts were taken?
- Attorneys understand how to properly file court documents and handle other legal procedures. If you’re not an attorney, you may struggle with deadlines. One late or incorrect filing could delay or worse – have the case thrown out altogether.
- Because you don’t know any expert witnesses or private detectives. Attorneys depend on an extended network of professionals to help their clients’ cases. Most non-attorneys do not personally know the types of professionals who can help with discovery or challenge evidence or testimony by the opposing party.
- You’re not sure how to plead — or what a ‘pleading’ is? Pleading guilty is not the only choice. Filing a lawsuit is also not only your only choice. An attorney who understands the law will be best situated to explain your options and can help you avoid potentially severe penalties even before a trial begins.
- 7.Damage control. Hiring a lawyer in many instances will help you avoid potential legal headaches down the road or help you with damage control.
- A good lawyer can strike up a good settlement offer or plea bargain, if necessary. An experienced lawyer probably has seen cases similar to yours or at least knows enough to make a calculated guess about how it might resolve at trial. Sometimes a settlement is the best choice, while other times it makes more sense to see your case through to trial. An attorney also can help negotiate a fair settlement with the opposing party.
- The other party has legal representation. He who represents himself has a fool for a client. Don’t go it alone.
- Lawyers often provide a free initial consultation. Since many attorneys will meet with you for free during a face-to-face consultation, there is really no harm in talking with one. Not only will a free consultation give you an idea of the type of case you have, it will help you decide whether you actually need to hire a lawyer.
If you have been injured or arrested in Tampa Hillsborough County and need a lawyer, call Tampa Attorney Martin Hernandez at 813.755.9500 or email: seekingjustice@FHTampaLaw.com
