3 Dangers of Representing Yourself in Your Criminal Case

There are a few reasons why a defendant might want to represent themselves in court. Some think they cannot afford a lawyer; others have a misplaced sense of mistrust in the system, which makes them feel they can represent their own interests better. They may wish to plead guilty and therefore think that hiring a lawyer is pointless or they may believe that if they don’t hire a lawyer, they won’t have to play by the rules and can wreak havoc on the system and somehow “trick” the courts.
However, going to court without representation can be dangerous and, in many cases leads to increased stress, confusion, and even harsher sentences for those who decide they’d rather represent themselves. Here are some of the reasons why Pro Se defendants can put themselves at a significant disadvantage:

1. You are more likely to incriminate yourself.

A good lawyer will make sure that you don’t say something that could damage your case and result in a conviction. A person with no training or intricate knowledge of the law is more likely to say something they shouldn’t and either destroy their own testimony or unwittingly help the prosecution with theirs. An experienced attorney will help guide you so anything you say on record doesn’t jeopardize your case.

2. You may not explore all the options available to you.

Those who choose to defend themselves may think there are only two outcomes or may not realize there are certain avenues they can explore to help conclude their case without having to go to trial. A plea bargain, for example, can be negotiated via an attorney where the prosecution agrees that the case does not need to go to trial if you plead to a lesser crime. While you can attempt to negotiate a deal with the prosecution yourself, an experienced attorney is at a distinct advantage with regards to helping negotiate the terms in your best interests.

3. You are unlikely to understand the law as well as a lawyer.