If you are going through a situation where you are potentially facing criminal penalties or prison time, make sure that you have a criminal defense attorney at your side. In addition to being a major advocate for you in this stressful time, a criminal defense attorney in metro-Atlanta and Marietta can also provide many other services and support. For example, here are the top five things that a criminal defense attorney can do for you:

1. WORK OUT A PLEA BARGAIN

One of the things a defense attorney can do for you is reduce your penalty, and in many cases, even eliminate the charges against you all together. This generally involves your attorney and the prosecutor negotiating a deal that is workable for both parties known as a plea bargain.

2. HELP YOU NAVIGATE EMOTIONAL STRESS

An experienced defense attorney can also help by assisting you with the inevitable emotional roller coaster of the prosecution and a criminal trial. You might be feeling embarrassed, depressed, or just all-around stressed out. The right criminal defense attorney can be compassionate and help by giving you a safe outlet where you can express these emotions and talk and work through them.

3. GIVE YOU A REALITY CHECK

One way that a lawyer can help you is by giving you a reality check when you need it. Your defense lawyer has likely seen it all and represented clients in situations very similar to yours. They can remain objective throughout the preceding and throughout your situation in a way that you will not be able to do. They can offer suggestions when to go to trial or if the trial is not going well. You can rely on them to give you honest answers, even when those answers are not pleasant.

4. KEEP YOU UP-TO-DATE

If you are considering representing yourself during a criminal proceeding, just don't! An experienced criminal defense lawyer stays up-to-date with the current legal rules and regulations, including sentencing patterns and so forth. You will likely not be able to find these things out on your own, so working with a knowledgeable lawyer you can trust usually will net you the best result.

5. GIVE YOURSELF THE BEST CHANCE

The State or Federal Governments have attorneys that represent them, and you should at least give yourself the same chance. Hiring an experienced lawyer will give you the best chance at reducing or eliminating the charges against you or reducing your sentence. Ultimately, the best thing that you can do for yourself when you're facing criminal charges is to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney in metro-Atlanta and Marietta who can serve as your advocate and who will have your best interests at heart.

Call The Lopes Law Firm at (404) 589-9000. We are here to help you!