Representing yourself in court may seem like the perfect solution to save a little bit of money. This could be an even more costly mistake on your part. The legal system may not allow you to do this or other problems could come up. Here are some of the reasons that representing yourself is a bad idea.
Possibility of Self-Incrimination
You may be asked a question that would cause you to incriminate yourself. A lawyer would be able to navigate this hurdle with ease. Without one, you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. The answer you provide may end up being your downfall in the case.
Emotions Run High
Whenever you’re in court, your emotions are likely to run higher than normal. The stress of the situation alone may cause you to behave in a manner that’s unbefitting. You may not be able to take a step back and see the bigger picture. Being too focused on your emotional response can cause you to lose your case.
Lack of Experience
A DUI charge may seem like it should be relatively simple. This can lead you to become overly confident in your abilities. Lack of experience is one of the things that causes most people to fail in these types of situations. Use a DUI lawyer so that you can have the best chance of walking out of the courtroom free and clear.
Misunderstanding of Tests
The tests that are performed can be technical in nature. If you don’t have a firm understanding of how these things need to be administered, you may be missing out on an opportunity to have them disqualified. For example, field sobriety tests require that the officer follow the correct protocol. If anyone step is missed, the tests results are no longer valid.
No Access to Expert Witnesses
In some instances, you may require that an expert witness be called to explain your responses and reactions. You might have been having a medical problem that could account for the finding of a DUI. Lawyers typically have access to these types of personnel who can help you out with your case.
There may be instances in which representing yourself is in your best interests. A DUI case may not be the best place to get your feet wet. Hire a lawyer so that you aren’t charged with something that you feel is incorrect. They may even be able to help lessen the charges.
About the Author: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her husky Snowball. You can find her on Twitter at @LizzieWeakley and on Facebook at facebook.com/lizzie.weakley.
