I Understand the Law – So Should I Go to Court Without a Lawyer? Criminal Law Firm | Defense Attorney Lawyers Vietnam

Criminal Law Firm | Defense Attorney Lawyers Vietnam
This article is for those who are:
➤  Currently under investigation, prosecution, or trial
➤  Believe that they “understand the law” and can defend themselves
➤ Are considering whether they need to hire a lawyer or not
The content below is written from the real-life experience of criminal litigation lawyers. It is not academic in nature, not intended to reassure, but rather to warn about real legal risks.
➜ So, how well do you really understand procedural law?
➜ Do you know how a summons for taking statements must be issued?
➜ Do you know how to properly arrange a statement-taking session?
➜ Do you know the local procedural rules regarding who sits on the Trial Panel?
➜ Do you know when is the appropriate deadline to file an objection to a motion? Do you even know how to find the procedural rules of the Trial Panel, the Procuracy, or the Investigative Authorities?
These are simple matters – for experienced litigation lawyers, they deal with these questions every single day!
➜ As a self-represented defendant, you are expected and required to master substantive law and procedural law – including the law of evidence – to the same extent as a lawyer. Most likely, you cannot. This article by An Law Vietnam – Defense Attorney Lawyers Vietnam will point out the issues you must face when choosing to represent yourself!

What Are the Disadvantages of Self-Representation When You Are Not a Lawyer?

(Professional disadvantages)
➤ It is like stepping into a boxing match without knowing how to dodge punches or throw a punch yourself; similarly, it is like having a tumor and performing surgery on yourself!!
➤ In every profession, there are unique techniques, and extensive hands-on experience matters more than merely “understanding” something you think you are good at.
For Doctors: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Histology, Microbiology, Pharmacology…
For Lawyers: Laws, Decrees, Resolutions, Guiding Documents, and even Case Law.
This is to help you see what professional expertise truly means.
Lawyers are trained with techniques to analyze and exploit weaknesses in the opposing party’s testimony.
For example, the well-known “yes” or “no” type of question to witnesses – this is a way to make an answer appear doubtful. The person answering may need to explain further but is prohibited from doing so. This creates doubt in the minds of the listeners.
You may instruct your lawyer to ask questions that you believe are beneficial to you, but your lawyer may think those questions would actually harm your case.
That is why LAWYERS and DOCTORS must study for many years before being licensed to practice.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer in Your Case?

First of all, it is important that you “master the law”, not merely “understand the law.”
In addition, Judges, Court Clerks, the Procuracy, and the Trial Panel are very strict about courtroom conduct. Every action in the courtroom has an appropriate time and place.
Do you have the right to represent yourself?
YES – you are not wrong!
But it is not appropriate. Why?
➜ You must accept the risk that some judges do not even want to hear your explanations and only expect a “yes” or “no” answer.
➜ When the case involves yourself, it is extremely difficult to remove emotions and stay on point.
➜ Courts need facts, not personal opinions.
➜ Evidence is not hearsay or subjective feelings.
➜ Lawyers are trained to use court time effectively, file motions properly, and build arguments based on lawful evidence.

Disadvantages of Self-Representation If You Are Not a Lawyer

(Practical procedural disadvantages)
➤ Before this case, you may not even have known where the court is located, where to submit motions, or where to file evidence…
➤ Do you understand the regulations and procedures of each regional court, who the contact person is, who the Court Clerk is, who the Prosecutor is – perhaps you have never even met the judge?
➤ Can you properly present evidence?
Yes! I mean the rules of evidence, and whether the content written in your submissions to investigative authorities is persuasive enough?
➟  Or do you submit 10 A4 pages, while a lawyer only needs a few typed lines?
➟  Meaning you rarely know which evidence is relevant and which is not?
Lawyers, on the other hand – eat with evidence, sleep with evidence, and work with evidence from multiple cases every day.
➤ When you go to court, do you know when you will face a question that, 30 minutes later, becomes evidence used against you? That is a leading question!
➤ Do you know the difference between direct examination and cross-examination?
➤ You do not know that an opening statement is merely a statement, not a legal argument.
➤ This list could go on forever. Choosing self-representation is an extremely uninformed procedural decision, and we are always willing to explain why to those who believe they can defend themselves before an experienced court.

A Comparison to Help You Visualize

I often tell people that this is like performing surgery on yourself.
You would have to master all legal provisions in the books: Laws, Decrees, Resolutions, Guiding Documents, Case Law, Rules of Evidence, Civil and Criminal Procedures, and even appellate procedures…
The court will show no leniency if you are not a trained and experienced lawyer.
“And of course, you get no second chance!”
Judges have no obligation to guide you. The opposing lawyer is simply waiting for you to make mistakes – and you certainly will.
It is very possible that a case ends not because of its merits, but because you made procedural mistakes.

Are There Any Advantages to Self-Representation Instead of Hiring a Lawyer?

There are no advantages, only numerous disadvantages.
“Only a fool represents himself.”
➜ You lose objectivity
➜ Emotions dominate
➜ Courts do not adjudicate emotions, but what can be proven by lawful evidence

What Are the Risks?

(Legal consequences)
The most obvious risk is that you will harm yourself and lose a case you should have won.
Other risks include:
➜ Wasting time and money on a case with no legal basis
➜ Spending twice as much time compared to having a lawyer
➜ Receiving a heavier sentence, even a longer prison term, simply because you do not understand current law, case law, and how to use favorable evidence
Questions I Commonly Answer When Vietnamese Clients or Their Families Ask Me:
1). I understand the law, so should I represent myself? → Understanding the law is not the same as understanding procedure and litigation strategy.
2). What is the biggest risk of not hiring a lawyer? → Losing critical procedural rights from the very beginning, leading to irreversible consequences.
3). When should I contact a criminal lawyer? → From the very first moment you work with investigative authorities.

Perspective from An Law Vietnam – Criminal Law Firm in Vietnam

In practice, with many years of professional experience at An Law Vietnam – Criminal Law Firm, we have noticed a common pattern among most Vietnamese clients:
Most clients who come to lawyers too late once believed that:
“I understand the law, I can handle it myself,” or even “I know this official, I live near that person.”
By the time they realize the risks:
➜ The right to remain silent has been lost
➜ Statements have already been recorded
➜ Unfavorable evidence has been legalized
➜ The judgment is already foreseeable due to seemingly harmless actions that are actually critical in a case
At this point, when you return to An Law Vietnam – Defense Attorney Lawyers, ‘yes’ – we may only be able to mitigate damages. No one can fully reverse the situation caused by unnecessary procedural mistakes.

There’s a saying among international lawyers: “He who represents himself has a fool for a client” – Abraham Lincoln

With direct experience in defending criminal, economic, drug, theft, robbery cases… especially cases involving foreigners in Vietnam – we find that the timing of having a lawyer is far more important than an individual believing they “understand the law” or “know the judge.”
An Law Vietnam – Criminal Law Firm understands that each client faces immense legal pressure, and it is never easy to find the right solution while being under investigation or in temporary detention.
Regarding the core values of defense strategy at An Law Vietnam – Criminal Defense Attorney:
At An Law Vietnam, we do not simply review case files.
We connect with and update families about detained clients, their health, mental condition, and case details. We conduct in-depth research into every “detail,” every “statement,” every “piece of evidence,” together with current Vietnamese law, to build a practical and case-specific defense strategy.
Our goal is to ensure that every legal decision and every statement made in court brings the optimal legal benefit to clients of An Law Vietnam.
Specialized and Absolute Confidential Services for Each Client
We are proud to provide strategic defense services with absolute confidentiality for the foreign community in Vietnam. Client confidentiality is our top priority, and the legal value we deliver is our ultimate objective.
DO NOT WASTE VALUABLE TIME! Any delay may affect the entire outcome of the case.
“In criminal cases, the timing of contacting a lawyer can determine the entire outcome.”
Contact Us
📞 Phone: (+84) 986 995 543
📧 Email: info@anlawvietnam.com
📍 Head Office: Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
🏢 Vung Tau Branch: Vo Thi Sau, Vung Tau Ward, Ho Chi Minh City