If you've been arrested and charged with a felony, you might be wondering if you need to hire a criminal defense attorney. The short answer is yes, especially if you want to be adequately represented in court. You might think that you could save money by representing yourself. However, when you're looking at possible prison time, you need to think about more than the money you'll be spending on your defense. Here are just three of the reasons why you need to have a good defense attorney in your corner.

They'll Conduct a Thorough Review of the Evidence

The prosecution is going to do everything they can to win a conviction against you. That means they'll be gathering every bit of evidence they can find to use against you. If you're trying to act as your own attorney, you're not going to know what to do with that evidence. You won't know what evidence is admissible, or if evidence was obtained illegally.

Luckily, an experienced criminal defense attorney will know exactly what to do with the evidence that's being brought against you. Your defense attorney will do a thorough review of all the evidence that the prosecution intends to use against you. They'll fight to keep unlawfully obtained or damaging evidence out of the trial.

They'll Work to Negotiate the Best Deal for You

If the evidence is stacked against you and there's no way to get you out of the charges altogether, your defense attorney will work to negotiate the best possible deal for you. Whether it's working to get the charges reduced or fighting to get a reduced sentence, your defense attorney will be working to make sure that your interests are considered every step of the way.

They'll Help Your Loved Ones Through the Process

A criminal trial can be stressful, especially for family members. They have no way of knowing what's going on, and they have no way of helping you. This can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and helplessness. Your defense attorney will understand what your family members are going through and will work to alleviate some of their distress. This includes keeping your family members informed about the proceedings and helping them find the help they need to deal with the current situation.

If you've been charged with a felony, don't make the mistake of representing yourself. You need professional legal representation. For questions and concerns regarding your case, be sure to speak to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.