The first words most people utter when they find themselves in legal trouble go something like this: I can’t afford a lawyer. In A Cup of Coffee with 10 of the Top Criminal Defense Attorneys in the United States, you will discover the multitude of reasons why you cannot afford NOT to hire an attorney. Put simply, the consequences of a conviction of any kind, but particularly a felony conviction, can and will change your life forever. Beyond the specter of prison time and other losses of liberty, including your right to cast a ballot or to own a gun, there are countless other penalties you will face if you are convicted of a crime. Even if this is the only black mark on your otherwise clean record, it will change the way in which employers, bankers, and even online love interests look at you. Why? Because your record is public and permanent. It’s available for everyone to see. In this troubled economy, a black mark such as a criminal conviction can remove you from the job market permanently and prevent you from the pursuit of your version of happiness. A criminal conviction can leave you on the outside looking in while others achieve their dreams. Between the covers of this book you will find the advice you need to locate the very best criminal defense lawyer wherever you happen to be-and have every advantage possible as you face your legal problem.