Having a defense lawyer on your side while facing a criminal charge has a number of benefits. In addition to providing honest advice so you can make well-informed decisions regarding your case, a criminal defense lawyer knows the strategies that can be used to minimize the impact that a criminal offense has on your life. Many criminal cases end at arraignment; that's because a large percentage of the population believes that just the act of being charged with a crime means there is no chance of successfully fighting their case. Unfortunately, pleading guilty is irreversible. Once you do that, you walk away with a conviction that cannot be expunged. Whether you are a student or currently employed, having a criminal conviction on your record can result in a number of consequences. Once your offense is discovered, you could be expelled from school or terminated from your job. A criminal record can even make things like traveling outside of the country or renting an apartment much more difficult.