The term “criminal offence” can range anywhere from some common traffic offences to major crimes like murder, but the one thing they all have in common is this: You need an experienced professional to represent and defend you. Some people think they can defend themselves, and legally that is indeed their right. But you wouldn’t let an amateur do your job without your experience, training, and savvy, so why would you put your fate in the hands of the amateur lawyer that is you?
There’s more to knowing the law and working as a top notch criminal solicitor in Australia than just having gone to University and been accepted to the Bar. We’ve all seen fictional trials on television where dapper lawyers quote cases and make witty remarks that impress judges, but in real life the successful defence of your case may rely on understanding the procedure, when and when not to file paperwork or ask questions, and knowing the judges, the clerks, and the system in a way that only long term experience gives anyone in any job.
Think about it: If you needed surgery that might be life threatening (and many criminal cases can lead to prison which will permanently change your life, too) would you choose a doctor who’d done ten similar operations or the one who’d done hundreds of the exact same kind and had a track record of healthy patients? Choosing the right lawyer in a criminal matter, even one that is as seemingly trivial as a traffic offence, can make the difference between freedom and prison, and no matter the fee, having an expert on your side certainly will save you money in the long run as well.
Remember, being convicted of a criminal offence can not only cost you jail time or fines. It can cost you your reputation, your job, your relationships, and more. Having a serious, scrupulous, and savvy solicitor there to guide your case, protect you from the charges and, perhaps most importantly, protect you from yourself and the errors or statements you’ll make without their firm, friendly hand there saying “Hold on. Let me do the talking. That’s what you’re paying me for” makes all the difference in the world.
So do your research. Check out the lawyers available to you. Ask around with family, friends, and on social media or the web, e.g. criminal solicitor Sydney. Find somebody with experience and then meet up and be sure to see if putting your future fate in that lawyer’s hands feels right. You need a rapport and a sense that your confidentiality is respected and that your best interests will be paramount in that lawyer’s mind and actions on your behalf.
Don’t do it yourself. Get a professional and win your case. They know what they’re doing.
Bonus: You should check out this documentary on youtube that covers several criminal cases. While it’s not handling Australian cases, it is still a great way to get a glimpse into the world of criminal law:
