3 Downsides Of Going To Trial With Your Case

August 14, 2017 | Blog

On behalf of Kestenbaum Law Group posted in blog on Monday, August 14, 2017.

Many people facing criminal charges mistakenly assume that a prosecutor will not have any interest in taking the case to trial. Unfortunately, this is often not the case, and even small cases are often brought to trial rather than dismissed or offered plea bargains. If you want to get your life back on track, it is sometimes advantageous to avoid a trial, and consulting with a legal representative may be the best way to do so.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there is a 68 percent conviction rate for felony cases in the United States. With odds like these, it is imperative that you proactively do everything within your power to fight for your rights. When you hire a legal representative, you do not have to do this alone. 

Increased cost

One of the biggest disadvantages of going to trial is an increased cost associated with your case. Time spent in court means time you cannot work, and if you have hired an attorney, it will also increase the cost of his or her services. Investing in legal representation sooner rather than later can prevent this from happening and limit the expenses you incur while fighting charges.

Higher risks

If you go to trial rather than seeking a plea deal or dismissal, the stakes are much higher than they otherwise would be. The aforementioned conviction rate indicates that there is a high likelihood you will get the full consequences of whatever charge you are facing if you choose to go to trial. Conversely, avoiding trial can reduce the consequences.

Time lost

In addition to greater costs and higher risks, going to trial means it will likely take much longer to recover from this situation and restore your life to normalcy. Trials can last anywhere from a week to several months, and there is likely no reliable way to predict how long yours may take. Rather than surrender an indeterminate portion of your life to this process, you may consider alternative options.