Criminal charges are often very complex, which is why attorneys specialize in criminal defense law. It isn’t always a matter of “guilty or innocent,” as you probably know if you’ve ever watched TV crime dramas.
Trying to negotiate criminal charges on your own is a huge gamble, and it will almost certainly put you at a very big disadvantage in terms of your defense. Regardless of why you were arrested, it’s crucial you obtain a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
One of the things a criminal defense lawyer can help with is a defendant’s cooperation with police or prosecutors. If you have evidence or information that could be beneficial to police or prosecutors in other cases, or you could help with ongoing investigations, it could help you in a couple of ways. You could obtain an advantageous plea bargain, reduced sentencing, or in some cases, your charges may not be filed.
In order to work out the best possible deal with assisting police or prosecutors, you should allow a criminal defense lawyer to manage the negotiations. An experienced court appointed or privately retained criminal defense lawyer will recognize and act appropriately on opportunities where your cooperation with police or prosecutors could help your case.
If you wait too long to hire a criminal defense lawyer, it’s possible you’ll miss the chance to offer evidence or information in exchange for a more favorable outcome to your case. Whether you hire your criminal defense lawyer yourself or consult with a court appointed attorney, provide all of the information you possibly can about your case – including information that could be of benefit to police or prosecutors.