subject: Why You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney [print this page] The criminal justice system in the United States is founded on the basis that a person is innocent until he or she has been proved to be guilty. Unfortunately, many innocent people have spent countless years in prison for crimes they did not commit. According to The Innocence Project , 17 people have been sentenced to die before they were set free and exonerated by DNA testing. The average time spent in prison for people who are later found innocent is 13 years. If you are arrested for a crime, you will need a good criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and your freedom.
A criminal conviction could cost you your reputation, your friends, and your family. You could lose your job or be unable to find a job due to a conviction on your record. You may be ordered to pay restitution to the victim and their family, costing you thousands of dollars. Most importantly, your good name and reputation will be ruined forever and you and your family will have to live with a permanent stain on the family name.
Once you are arrested, it becomes quite easy for an eager and determined District Attorney to get you convicted. Innocent people are convicted everyday due to:
Eyewitness misidentification
Informants or snitches who are trying to cut deals for themselves
Improper and illegal police procedures
Faulty forensic testing
False confessions
Incompetent attorneys
A skilled Greenville criminal defense attorney is essential if you are arrested because a conviction will ruin your life. A good criminal defense attorney will be there on your side to protect your rights. They will research the facts of the case, investigate the crime and talk to witnesses, and present your side to the judge and jury. In most cases, the criminal defense attorney is the only one who will fight for you.
