After being arrested for a crime, whether a sudden arrest or when surrendering to a warrant, your first and only priority should be to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. This is because you need legal protection. Being charged with a crime is a very serious matter, regardless of the severity of charges or penalties.

So, whether you are caught shoplifting a piece of candy or driving drunk in the possession of an unregistered firearm, a criminal record is a serious matter that can have a lasting ripple effect on your social, familial, vocational, and financial future. This is why you need skilled legal representation after an arrest.

Continue reading to learn why you should never, under any circumstances, waive your right to a lawyer, even if you are certain you’ll be handed a guilty verdict in court.

Legal Counsel is ALWAYS a Must

A lawyer has the skills, resources, and professional connections to work the best possible defense against your charges in order to protect your rights and preserving your freedoms. If you want to avoid the maximum penalties for your criminal charges, you need an attorney.

Public Defense

Although you have the option of choosing a public defender, who are also real lawyer, there are numerous downfalls for going that route. There are monumental differences between a public defender and a criminal defense attorney, and several advantages in using private counsel rather than public defense. But having legal representation either way is important, so be sure to never waive your right to an attorney if you are charged with a crime.

You Can’t Represent Yourself

Thinking you can represent yourself in your criminal case is a major misconception. Anyone who does not professionally practice criminal defense is incapable of representing a criminal case successfully. There are too many complexities involved, and taking the risk to represent yourself and lose your case can render severe short term consequences, but also lifelong ones.

Avoid a Criminal Record

Criminal charges don’t just come with a list of penalties, like possible jail time, hefty fines, court fees, filing costs, probation, community service, suspended drivers’ license, and random drug screening. Criminal charges come with a permanent record. Furthermore, a criminal record, regardless of its severity, can hold a person back from several opportunities in life, including viable employment, promotions, professional licenses, home ownership, proprietorship, governmental clearances, and much more. It can even implicate a couple’s ability to adopt a child.

So, it is important to handle a criminal charge it the most aggressive and sure-fire way, and that is to always take advantage of your right to hire an attorney. Never waive your right to counsel.

Choose an Indianapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer Who Will Fight For You

Call 317-636-7514 to discuss your issues with your current legal representation with David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law. He is an aggressive and experienced Indianapolis criminal defense attorney who will stop at nothing to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms. With decades of hands-on experience, you can trust Attorney David E. Lewis to help you through the process of changing lawyers, and then build you a stronger and more impactful defense against your Indiana criminal charges. Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation for Indianapolis criminal defense, today.