The college years can be tricky to navigate. It is the first time that you are living on your own and making your own decisions. You are learning to navigate the adult life and attempting to figure out your career and social future at the same time. A single mistake during this important transitionary time can be damaging to your future. If you find yourself in legal trouble during these years, it is crucial that you hire legal representation for the following reasons.
To prevent costly fines
Most legal charges come with severe fines. These fines usually include court fees, legal costs, and probationary fees. Although hiring a Harrisonburg attorney can be costly, it is a needed expense. Your Harrisonburg attorney will work to reduce the amount of fines you will owe to the court. You will likely be offered the legal services of a public representative, but this is not always the best decision. You need to hire an attorney if you are in trouble and your future is at risk. On average, a public defender would need about 3,035 work hours, a year and a half, to do a year?s worth of work. Hiring a Harrisonburg attorney can actually be the better financial decision.
To avoid jail time
Colleges can expect a lot from their students. Students are expected to attend classes, sit for exams, and be involved in on campus extra curricular activities. If you are in jail, you are unable to complete these expected tasks. Missing class or skipping an exam because you were in jail is usually not a good excuse. The best way to avoid jail time is to work with an experienced defense lawyer. Your criminal defense attorney may even use your college attendance as a reason that you cannot serve jail time. Because the court system wants you to do better in life, they also do not want you to miss college classes or exams due to jail time.
To avoid risking your future
Many professions expect a clean record of their employees. If you are pursuing a career in the legal industry, with the government, or as a licensed medical provider, it is best to keep a clean record. Just because you are currently in legal trouble does not mean that your chances are lost. However, it is very important that you hire attorneys with experience in your charges, as soon as possible. Nationwide, law enforcement made an estimated 12,196,959 arrests in 2012. Many of these never make it to court. Even of those that do make it to court, many are dropped in court without legal charges. The best way to avoid risking your future employment opportunities is to work with a Harrisonburg attorney that is familiar with the legal system in your area.
To prove innocence
About 10,000 people in the United States may be wrongfully convicted of serious crimes each year. Unfortunately, the legal system is set up in a way that can charge people who are innocent. Of course, you can imagine the implications of a guilty charge. However, if you are truly innocent, the criminal defense attorney that you hire may be more important than ever. Do not risk your life and your freedom to save a couple hundred dollars on legal fees and charges.
College students have a bright future ahead of them. That is unless they get into serious legal trouble and they are then faced with the risk of ruining their future. A simple criminal act during college can ruin your employment opportunities and college success. Always hire your own attorney and make sure they have experience in the specific legal charges that you are facing. Your future could depend on it.