Do I Need a Lawyer to Represent Me in My Case?
Mar 13, 2017 
Deciding If You Need a Lawyer
In Utah, it has been estimated that more than 60% of all criminal defendants charged with misdemeanor offenses are not represented by an attorney. This is a crazy statistic if you think about it. As an attorney, I still wouldn’t represent myself in a criminal case – even a simple misdemeanor. If you don’t qualify for a public defender, and even if you do, it may be in your best interest to hire an attorney to represent you.
Recently I heard one Justice Court judge advise the defendants in his courtroom that they should all be represented by an attorney. He compared it to going on an African safari without a guide. Obviously, that can be a very dangerous situation.
Courtrooms are unfamiliar places to most people. Unfortunately, what we see on popular tv shows doesn’t show how court really works. Having an attorney represent you, even in “simple” cases, is strongly advisable.
Will I Save Money by Representing Myself?
If I Get Advice From a Lawyer Can I Represent Myself?
Can I Negotiate My Own Plea Deal?