Why Representing Yourself in Utah Justice Courts Can Cost You More Than You Save
When facing misdemeanor criminal charges in Utah Justice Courts, one question often comes up: Do I really need a lawyer for this? Many defendants consider going it alone—also known as going pro se (representing oneself without a lawyer). They think it’s a straightforward way to save money. But after the case wraps up, and they recount their experience to a criminal defense attorney, the response is often telling: You didn’t have a lawyer, did you?
Prosecutors Take Advantage
Prosecutors are seasoned professionals, and many of them are quick to recognize when a defendant is navigating the legal system solo. To the unrepresented defendant, the case might seem simple—whether it’s marijuana possession, assault, or retail theft. They think they know what they did, they’re confident they won’t end up in jail, and they believe that skipping a lawyer will save them a bundle.
But here’s the catch: prosecutors know the playbook better than you do. They know when a deal is subpar, and they count on the fact that you might not. This often leads to the prosecutor offering a plea deal that’s worse than what even an average attorney would secure—let alone a seasoned criminal defense lawyer with deep experience in Utah’s legal system.
The High Cost of Going it Alone
So, what does it look like when you go pro se? It could mean a conviction when a lawyer might have had the case dismissed outright. Or perhaps you end up pleading to a more serious charge than necessary. For instance, you might plead to a minor misdemeanor, thinking it’s the best you can do—while a lawyer could have negotiated it down to an infraction. And then there’s probation: what you thought was standard supervised probation could have been reduced to unsupervised, had you had the right legal representation.
Experienced criminal defense lawyers often see these outcomes and immediately recognize that the defendant didn’t have a lawyer. This is especially true in justice courts where the lawyer is familiar with the typical results for similar cases.
The Bottom Line
While it might seem like you’re saving money by representing yourself, the reality is that it often ends up costing more in the long run. At Stone River Law, we’ve seen this play out time and again—especially when helping clients clean up their criminal records. Before you decide to go pro se in a Utah Justice Court, consider the true cost of not having expert legal counsel by your side.