Attorney Clifford Bernard Malone Jr. was the sole practitioner at his law firm located in Walnut Creek, California, for over 30 years. During his tenure, lawyer Clifford Bernard Malone Jr. was involved in cases regarding personal injury, fraud litigation, and criminal defense.
When a person is accused of a crime, he or she can elect to represent himself or herself at the trial, known as going “pro se”. Although cheaper than hiring a private criminal defense attorney, it could ultimately prove to be a costly mistake. In 95% of cases where persons represented themselves rather than hiring counsel, a guilty verdict resulted.
Criminal defense attorneys have the proper training and education to work a case. A criminal case requires both research, strategy and skills that a non-lawyer likely lacks. The legal complexities of a criminal case need the guidance of a lawyer.
Criminal defense attorneys have connections in the legal system that outsiders do not have. These relationships with fellow lawyers, perhaps even the prosecutor, can be of aid should a plea bargain be on the table. In addition, the accused may be too emotionally connected to a case to mount an effective defense. A criminal attorney will logically and systematically work the case without the burden of being emotionally affected by it.
