4 Reasons Self-Representation in a Criminal Case Is a Bad Idea

If you watch crime dramas on TV, you might sometimes see situations where people accused of criminal offenses represent themselves in court. 

When someone accused of a heinous crime foregoes a professional lawyer, goes toe-to-toe with a prosecutor, and wins after a trial, that makes for must-watch TV. People love a good story where the wrongly accused underdog wins despite the odds stacked against them.

But in a real-life scenario where you’re facing a criminal case and the potential of imprisonment, fines, and reputational harm, you had better bet that you need a criminal law attorney.

An accused person has the right to self-representation if a presiding judge deems such a person has the mental capacity to know what they’re getting into. That does not, however, mean self-representation is in your best interests. It can be your undoing if you go that route.

Here are four reasons self-representation in a criminal case is a bad idea best left to TV shows.

1. There’s Too Much at Stake

The best reason to hire a lawyer rather than represent yourself is that the risk of going it alone is not worth it. You can’t afford to roll the dice and hope for the best when so much is at stake. That’s a recipe for disaster. Even a reputable, experienced, and successful criminal law attorney must roll up their sleeves, dig deep, and pull out all the stops to help you beat the charges. 

Hire a lawyer when a loss could mean years behind bars. It’s foolhardy to do otherwise.

2. There’s So Much You Don’t Know

While you'll have a vested interest in the outcome of your criminal case, that doesn't mean you're best suited to represent yourself in court. When facing criminal charges in court, don't represent yourself. You need a criminal law lawyer experienced in helping people in your shoes. 

Crime dramas on TV where the accused prepare to defend themselves while reading legal texts in the prison library can make for interesting programming. But knowing the difference between fact and fiction is vital. Whether or not you walk free or go to jail could hinge on your choice.

3. There Are Court Rules and Processes to Know

Another reason it pays to hire a criminal law attorney rather than represent yourself in a criminal case is that knowing and following court rules and processes are vital. 

Do you understand the ins and outs of conducting yourself in court -- not as someone witnessing the goings on in the public gallery but as a lawyer? You won't get brownie points from the judge when you do something right, and you won't get any leeway when you make mistakes experienced criminal law lawyers would never make. 

You'll do yourself a disfavor if your ignorance of the court rules and processes disrupts the trial.

4. There Won’t Be Anyone to Bail You Out

If you run into trouble during the trial, you'll be on your own. The judge, the court clerk, the jury, and the public witnessing the proceedings in the gallery won’t help you. You won't be able to ask for legal assistance that a criminal law attorney would know. If a judge decides to offer advice during a criminal trial, you can bet they'll recommend you hire a criminal law attorney. 

These are four reasons why hiring a lawyer beats self-representation for a criminal case. While the choice is yours, is it wise to put yourself at a disadvantage? The prosecution won’t do you any favors or take it easy on you if you make the mistake of forgoing legal representation. 

So, do yourself a favor and retain a criminal defense lawyer for the strongest possible defense.