10 Tips To Locating The Best Criminal Lawyer
When you’re faced with a criminal charge-like theft, DUI, crimes of violence, or drug offenses-you need an experienced lawyer who will stand in your corner and fight for your case. But being a lawyer is a top profession, and there are countless accredited criminal defense lawyers to choose from. It can be difficult to figure out which is the right lawyer for your case, particularly if you don’t know what to look for. What you need is someone you could trust with your life, but what you have is a list of names, possibly less. In order to find your perfect defense lawyer, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten things you should look for before settling with any given firm.
A Lawyer With A Passion For Law
Don’t pick someone who sees your case as just another day on the job. You deserve a lawyer who loves what they do and is at home in the courtroom. Find an lawyer who shows interest in your story and is eager to fight on your behalf.
All Experience Is Not Equal
A lawyer with years of experience working on tax law could be worse for a case than a criminal defense lawyer who has spent six months in the courtroom. Find a lawyer who specializes in your charges, and has plenty of experience defending those with similar charges.
Trust Your Gut
You want someone who will act as an adviser, explaining your options and allowing you to make choices. If you’re working with a lawyer who makes you uncomfortable or pressures you into making decisions, you’re working with the wrong lawyer.
It Takes A Village
It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a strong legal team to prepare a case for court. Your lawyer will be relying on others as they work with your case. Ask to meet the administrative staff, paralegals, and other lawyers to be sure that the entire team is a good fit for your case.
Confidence, Not Arrogance
Your lawyer can not guarantee a specific outcome to your case; there is always an aspect of the unknown when it comes to the law. Don’t pick a lawyer who builds you up with promises they can’t stand behind. Instead, find one who bolsters your case through skill and preparation.
Check References
Even the greatest lawyers have a few dissatisfied clients, so you’ll want someone with enough good reviews to outweigh the bad. A great lawyer will have a reputation to match.
A Comparable Fee
An experienced lawyer is likely going to cost more than one right out of law school. However, your chosen lawyer’s fee shouldn’t be much different that fees of similarly qualified candidates. If the fee is higher, be sure to ask why; it could be that your chosen lawyer comes with more services or cross experience than the competition.
Reaching An Understanding
Your lawyer should speak clearly, in terms that you can understand, not courtroom legal jargon.
Explaining Your Options
Decisions to your case shouldn’t be made at the drop of a hat. Every decision you make in regards to your case carries lasting consequences. Make sure that your lawyer informs you of all possible choices and makes sure that you understand the full extent of the one that you choose.
Courtroom Experience
While court can be expensive and you’ll want to do everything you can to avoid your case going to a courtroom, sometimes it’s unavoidable. Make sure that your lawyer isn’t afraid of representing you in court.
Facing criminal charges isn’t something that you should attempt on your own, like fighting a traffic ticket. Criminal charges call for a criminal lawyer who will stand by your side throughout the entirety of the case, fighting for your best interests. You’ll need someone with experience, passion for the law, and an inane ability to get results. Taking time to find the right lawyer for your case could have a big impact on the outcome of that case, and you shouldn’t trust your future to just anyone.