The prospect of facing a criminal charge in the United States can be frightening. However, the chances of finding a good outcome to such a charge will be greatly reduced without proper legal representation. Here are five reasons why those facing any type of offense need the assistance of a criminal lawyer:

1) The Rights of the Accused

Under the American legal system, those charged with crimes are considered innocent until they either admit their guilt or are convicted in court. A criminal lawyer will help their clients take full advantage of their constitutional rights and protections.

2) Knowledge of the System

One can learn legal terms and techniques from books and online sources, but it will take someone with a law background to understand the system itself. A criminal lawyer will have insight into both the nature of a criminal charge and how to navigate within the system.

3) Recognizing the Role of the Community

Prosecutors and even judges may also be political figures who are concerned about satisfying their constituents. This can affect their objectivity when it comes to dealing with criminal defendants. Criminal lawyers can counter this bias and thus level the playing field for the defendants they represent.

4) Reducing the Charges

Balancing the power of a prosecuting attorney, a criminal lawyer possesses the ability to mitigate any charge through the principle of plea bargaining. This means that a defendant can accept responsibility for a crime or even a lesser offense and in the process receive a reduced penalty.

5) Reducing Your Time and Effort

Those charged with crimes often have family or other responsibilities, which give them less time to prepare for their trials or other legal activities. Defense attorneys will devote their time to serving the needs of their clients.

The Need for Representation

Millions of crimes occur every year in the United States. One of the more serious offenses involves driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI). According to the Washington Post, sources show that a driver's blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05, while street legal, can increase the risk of causing an accident by 100 percent over someone who has not consumed an alcoholic beverage. The risk of causing a crash doubles for someone with a BAC of 0.08. If you are charged with DUI or any crime, a wise decision is to seek the services of a criminal lawyer.