Posted on: 2 January 2015

If you have never hired a criminal defense lawyer, then you probably have a pretty limited knowledge when it comes to hiring attorneys. There are a lot of things that people don't know about hiring lawyers, so consider these things before you decide not to hire a lawyer for your upcoming court case. When you consider these four things, you will probably see that hiring an attorney is a very critical part of taking care of your charge.

1. It's Not as Expensive as You Think

When many people think about the idea of hiring a lawyer, they often automatically assume that doing so will involve a lot of money. However, many attorneys offer more reasonable rates than you think. It can actually be cheaper to hire a lawyer than to use a court-appointed lawyer, since court-appointed lawyers typically have to be paid if you are convicted. Call around to inquire about rates, and find the best deal in your area. You could find that hiring legal representation is more affordable than you originally thought.

2. Many Lawyers Take Payments

Another thing that a lot of people don't realize is the fact that many lawyers are willing to set up a payment plan for you to pay for their services. If breaking up legal fees into a few smaller payments will make things work more easily for your budget, call a local attorney and ask about your options. The office might be more flexible about payments than you think.

3. Consultations are Typically Free

Many people never even talk to a lawyer to find out about their options, but you should know that consultations are generally free. Call a local law office in your area and ask to set up a free consultation. You can find out more about what the lawyer can do for you and how much it will cost, and you may even be able to get a little bit of legal advice while you're there.

4. They Can Put Off Your Case

If you want to put off your court hearing for one reason or another -- such as if you are busy with your responsibilities or want extra time to save up the money to pay for your charges -- then it's a good idea to hire an attorney. In many cases, lawyers can put off your court date until a later date for your convenience.

These are just some of the many things that you probably didn't know about attorneys. As you can probably see, there are a lot of reasons to hire an attorney from firms like Sicotte & Henry rather than handling your case on your own.