You should hire criminal defense lawyers as soon as you are arrested, or, if possible, as soon as you think you might be arrested. An experienced local attorney will not only understand the legal process and be able to prepare you, but will help prevent you from accidentally doing or saying something that could harm your defense. An attorney will evaluate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and stand up for your rights. The longer you wait to hire an experienced attorney, the greater the chances that you could inadvertently jeopardize your case.