Should You Ever Represent Yourself in Criminal Court? - Video
Watch Jack’s Interview on Court TV
It is an age old question and one that people have been asking themselves forever. They know what happened and they should be able to explain it better than anybody else. They know how to talk and how to convince people so, Why shouldn’t they represent themselves in court? You may know your case better than anybody else and you may even be convincing and even compelling. Let’s run down a few reasons. Do you know the rules of court? Do you know the rules of evidence? How do you pick the right jury for this kind of case? How are opening statements and closing arguments different? Would it be more compelling for you to call yourself a good person or for a lawyer with decades of experience explaining all of the reasons that you actually are. The list goes on and on and on. If you are facing serious criminal charges in Minnesota, sit down with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
“Representing yourself is like doing your own brain surgery. If you have a pocket knife, a small mirror and some duct tape, isn’t that enough.”
Jack Rice, a nationally known St. Paul, Minnesota based criminal defense attorney appears on Court TV with anchor Matt Johnson and the incredible Georgia lawyer Josh Schiffer to discuss people who waive their lawyers off and try cases themselves. The list of individuals who have done this is long. The list of convictions is almost the exact same size.
If you are facing criminal charges in Minnesota, the facts are critical. Hence, your involvement in your own defense is important. At the same time, there is a lot of other aspects of the case that can also impact the result. Just assuming you can figure it out would be a massive mistake.
“If I own a house, does that mean I’m qualified to do the electrical, plumbing, roofing, siding, foundation work, and more? If I do any of it wrong, everything could easily collapse. Now, replace the word “house” with your life. That is what is at stake.”
Jack Rice is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, a former prosecutor a former CIA officer and a nationally renowned criminal defense attorney. He teaches trial advocacy for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. He teaches lawyers how to do this. He is also the founder of Jack Rice Defense. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339. Jack’s got your back.