Perhaps you’ve seen the Bundy Documentary on Netflix and perhaps you think that like Bundy, you too can represent yourself in court. We hope you haven’t forgotten that Bundy had (a) some legal training and academic knowledge and (b) could manipulate people very easily.
Bundy had everything going for him, but not everybody might. And as a general rule, we would never condone the idea of defending yourself in court. These things should best be left to the professionals—because, if you remember, Bundy lost.
However, if for whatever reason you’ve taken to heart the idea of representing yourself in court, we won’t stop you—although we’d advise strongly against. What we can do is help you get through the process in one piece.
Unrepresented Defendants
We understand that hiring a criminal defense attorney can be an expensive undertaking, and we understand that you might just not roll with state lawyers. In fact, studies as far back as 2014 showed that a growing number of individuals had shown keenness in representing themselves in court. Fighting criminal charges without a lawyer is tough, but maybe we can help you get through the ordeal.
Knowing the Law
No, you don’t have to go to law school in order to understand how the law works. We’d suggest you stick to government websites, knowledge of criminal procedure, and other easily available resources for the job. One of the things that’s really going to bother you will be the language. The courts have their own jargon, their own SOPs, and their own colloquial. Knowing what’s what and maintaining your decorum is paramount.
Keep Your Calm
If you’ve watched any courtroom dramas (if you haven’t, we’ll take this opportunity to suggest Boston Legal) you probably know that lawyers are almost sociopathic in their lack of emotion. You might be wrongfully put on the stand, and you might know it, but that proves nothing. You’ll have to prove to the jury that you’re innocent, and that means (a) you provide evidence to support your arguments and (b) trash the argument on the opposing side by finding flaws therein.
Try for a Plea Bargain
The most you can hope for is a plea bargain. Don’t outright admit your liability but try and steer the conversation toward a negotiation. You need to have a good enough grasp of public speaking and polite composure to see this happen. Think—twice—before you speak because the prosecutors (a) are experienced attorneys and (b) will use anything you say as a weapon against you.
But Most Importantly
If you’ve really decided to represent yourself in court, the first thing you should be doing is getting out of jail. You can’t prepare yourself for a trial as the defendant and the defense lawyer both if you’re in jail. If you’re short on money, reach out to Lee Calhoun Bail Bonds in Gainesville, FL, and get out of jail using their 24-hour service. Read more about us here or give us a call at (352) 379-9100.