Answers from a Boca Raton Law Criminal Attorney

Understanding your right to counsel

The concept of the right to counsel is an essential element of the U.S. judicial process.  Many clients of the law firm of Boca Raton criminal attorney Brent Horst have questions about their right to counsel.  These answers may be useful if you have similar questions.  And if you are a suspect or have been arrested and need a criminal attorney in Boca Raton or the surrounding region, contact Brent Horst online or call for a consultation today at 305-809-7503.

What does it mean to have a right to counsel?

The right to counsel is a key component of your right to due process—to be treated fairly when you are charged with a crime.  Your right to counsel, also known as your right to an attorney, relies on both the Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and related state provisions.  It means that if you are accused of a crime, you have the right to be represented by a lawyer in your court case. If you cannot afford to pay for a criminal lawyer, the judge orders that a lawyer be provided to you at no cost.

How does my right to counsel help me?

We often take the right to counsel for granted in the U.S.  Its value is often best understood by those in other countries—those who do not have this right, and often face the power of the government without the right to representation.  Boca Raton criminal law attorneys are trained in the law, experienced in the justice system, and familiar with the local courts.  They stand up for you, protect your Constitutional rights, and try to obtain the best possible outcome for you based on the circumstances of the case against you.

Am I required to hire legal counsel?

No, legal counsel is a right, not a requirement.  Suspects can choose to waive their right to counsel, but this is almost always a bad idea.  If you go to criminal court in Boca Raton, you will be up against an experienced and determined prosecutor.  This is a difficult battle for defendants no represented by experienced Boca Raton criminal law attorneys.

Does right to counsel apply to all court cases?

You have a right to a criminal defense lawyer in all criminal proceedings and you have the right to have an attorney appointed to you if you cannot afford to hire one. You also have the right to be represented in a non-criminal lawsuit, such as a personal injury claim or a discrimination claim against an employer, for example.  The difference is that you must pay to be represented in a civil case.  The right to a free lawyer when you cannot afford one is only for criminal accusations. 

Why is the right to counsel important in criminal defense?

When you are a suspect in a criminal court trial, you are in a battle—not of sword but of words, wits, and law. There is no limit to the amount of money and energy the government can choose to spend on your prosecution.  In a battle such as this, where the outcome can dramatically effect the remainder of your life, representing yourself is an incredibly risky prospect.  Whenever possible, choose the most skilled Boca Raton criminal attorney you can find to represent you in this battle for your future. 

Hiring a criminal law attorney in Boca Raton

An experienced Boca Raton criminal defense attorney’s representation is your best asset when you face criminal charges in Fort Lauderdale, Miami Dade County, or Miami Beach.  Not every criminal law attorney knows how to work effectively with the complex laws governing the prosecution of Florida and federal drug crimes.  Brent Horst has a solid record of defending these cases in state and federal criminal courts. Contact the Law Office of Brent Horst online, or call at 305-809-7503 in Florida.