Being charged with a criminal offense can be incredibly scary and stressful. If you are ever in this type of situation, the best thing you can do is hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent you as soon as you are released from jail. The sooner you hire a criminal defense lawyer after your arrest, the better. The services of a top criminal defense lawyer may not be inexpensive, but they are definitely worth the cost. Having a criminal defense lawyer on your side representing you can make a big difference is how your case goes. Some of the top reasons it is essential to hire a criminal defense lawyer when you're charged with a crime include the following. 

Build a Good Defense

If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you need a very strong defense when you go to court. You may qualify for the services of a public defender, but it is important to know that most public defenders have very heavy caseloads, and thus they are not able to put a lot of time and effort into each case. When you hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer, he or she will carefully review all of the facts about your case and arrest and then build a strong defense to use in court. 

Avoid Jail or Prison

No one wants to spend time in jail or prison, but there are many crimes that require a sentence that includes incarceration if a person is convicted. If the offense that you have been charged with could lead to a jail or prison sentence, it is extremely important to hire a criminal defense lawyer. When you have a lawyer representing you in court, you have a much better shot of being acquitted of the crime that you have been charged with. In some cases, hiring a top criminal defense lawyer can help you avoid jail or prison time.

Negotiate Plea Deals

If there is ample evidence that you are guilty of committing the crime that you were charged with, a criminal defense lawyer can work with the prosecutor to negotiate a favorable plea deal. With a plea deal, you may be able to plead guilty to a lesser charge than the one that you were charged with. Likewise, in most cases, a criminal defense lawyer can arrange for a plea deal that has a sentence that is as favorable for you as possible.

Speak with a criminal lawyer for more information.