Reasons You Should Never Represent Yourself In Court In Illinois

While you can represent yourself in court, doing is not a good idea. Here are some reasons why you should not take this course of action and hire a Palos Heights criminal defense lawyer instead:
 
You Don’t Have Sufficient Legal Knowledge

The law is complicated and if you are inexperienced with its use, navigating the courtroom and procedures can be quite daunting for seemingly simple matters. Just because you can walk into a courtroom and represent yourself, does not mean that you are going to do a great job.
 
Think about it. Would you hire a novice to do your plumbing for you? The legal field is no different hiring an experienced Palos Heights criminal defense lawyer who can advocate for you in court can ensure a better outcome. In the end, it is cheaper to hire one rather than representing yourself and failing in court.
 
Lack of Legal Experience

Even if you know your case like the back of your hand, you are probably not going to be your best advocate. There are several reasons for this. For one thing, you will probably be facing an opposing attorney who has way more knowledge and experience in court than you do.
 
Plus, you are not familiar with the clerk or bailiffs in the courtroom and you don’t have experience interviewing witnesses, or presenting opening or closing arguments. Additionally, you are not aware of the rules of evidence or when you can object during a case. The list goes on and makes you highly unqualified compared to an experienced Palos Heights criminal defense lawyer.
 
Emotions Can Cloud Your Judgment

Inexperienced people who are representing themselves in court often get overwhelmed by nerves and can also get defensive under pressure. Instead of focusing on the evidence, you may try to make an emotional argument which will reduce its efficiency in court.
 
Plus, just because you are representing yourself, doesn’t mean that the court will take pity on you. Throwing yourself at its mercy can prove counterproductive. In your naivety, you may disrupt the court unknowingly thus irritating the judge which can have bad consequences for your case.
 
Why You Should Hire An Experienced Lawyer?

All of the abovementioned and more are necessary when it comes to presenting a case in the best light possible. Without legal training and courtroom experience, it is highly unlikely you can do this on your own.
 
Attorneys go through several years of law school to learn how to advocate for their clients in an efficient manner. For that reason, hiring one who has substantial experience regarding your case will be in your best interest. It will give your case a much higher chance of succeeding.
 
If you are searching for an attorney for your case, get in touch with Michael D. Ettinger & Associates today. We offer protective counsel that is meant specifically to prevent future disputes and to help our clients de-stress. Thanks to your stellar reputation and long success record, we are the go-to law firm for clients hailing from Palos Heights, IL, and beyond. Get in touch with us for a consultation today.