What to Look for in a Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been accused of a criminal act, it’s important that you hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. A criminal defense lawyer may be instrumental in building your defense, reducing penalties, and proving your innocence.
In this article, we’re taking a closer look at what to look for in a criminal defense lawyer.
What to Look for in a Criminal Defense Lawyer
You’ve been accused of a crime. Whether you know you are guilty and just want to limit the severity of the repercussions or you’re planning to fight for your innocence, the best step you can take is to contact a criminal defense attorney.
A quick look online will reveal hundreds or even thousands of options depending on where you live. But how can you be sure you’ll find the best person for your case and your individual situation? Start with this list of what to look for in a criminal defense lawyer to ensure you make the right choice.
Here is what to look for in a criminal defense lawyer.
1. Criminal Law Specialization
All lawyers understand the basics of the law, how to present a defense or offense, and how to navigate the court system. However, this does not mean that you can (or should) choose the first attorney you come across regardless of their specialty.
The reality is that no two lawyers are exactly alike. A corporate lawyer will have a much different background and set of experiences than someone who specializes in criminal defense. And while most practicing lawyers can effectively help you with basic legal advice and/or assistance, criminal defense is particularly complex – and that means you need someone who practices in this specific field.
Choosing an attorney who specializes in criminal defense can quite literally be the difference between success and failure in court. At the very least, it ensures you are working with someone who understands the criminal court process and how to present evidence to the courts in a compelling way. Your future is worth it.
2. Responsive
When you are defending yourself in the criminal court, it is imperative that you take action quickly. The courts cannot, and will not, wait months until you get a response from an attorney whose caseload is so high that they cannot feasibly respond to you in a reasonable amount of time. Likewise for a lawyer who offers to take you on, but tells you they cannot begin working with you right away.
You should expect a good legal team to respond to your inquiries within around one business day or two at the most. Keep in mind that this doesn’t generally include weekends, holidays, or special occasions. After all, law firms are businesses, too.
Don’t be afraid to move on if you aren’t getting a response. Attorneys who will not, or cannot, respond on a timely basis will also likely lack the ability to handle emergent issues; that might end up costing your case.
3. Local
Choosing an attorney who specializes in criminal defense isn’t necessarily enough to help you win your case. You should also try to hire someone who has experience and connections to the local courts – including prosecutors, judges, and other lawyers.
The reality is that an attorney who has these connections will be better able to communicate with other legal professionals involved in your case. He or she may even be able to anticipate how a judge might interpret information, which might help them present or argue the evidence more effectively.
And, should all else fail and you are found guilty, there are other benefits to working with someone with connections. An attorney who spends a significant amount of time working with prosecutors may be more adept at convincing them to suggest a lighter sentence or even cut you a deal.
4. Reputable
Despite what you may think, not every lawyer has your best interests at heart – and some may not be legitimate at all. This is especially true for lawyers you find online, on craigslist, or even via word of mouth. For this reason, you should always strive to verify the reputation of anyone you want to work with before you sign a contract.
Start off by searching for the lawyer online – can you easily find their information and/or reviews from past clients? Are the majority of these reviews positive or negative? This can be a great way to determine if the lawyer is reliable.
Still, you shouldn’t limit yourself to the info you find online. Instead, contact your local attorney referral service and ask them to confirm the attorney’s license status and tell you about their history (including any complaints, suspensions, or fines). This can be an extremely effective way to verify the information.
A quick note: most legal referral services can provide the same level of confirmation while also helping you identify your options. As they are licensed and regulated by the Bar itself, you can trust them to provide you with the right information.
5. Knowledgeable
You don’t have to be a legal expert to be able to detect when someone is pulling the wool over your eyes. Schedule a consultation with the criminal defense attorney you want to work with; ask as many questions as you can. Then, listen carefully to their responses and how they speak to you.
Can they respond quickly and easily as if they’re recalling information they already know? If they don’t have an answer, do they admit it and promise to find the answer for you? Or, do they seem to make something up on the spot that sounds just a little bit nonsensical? Most importantly, do you feel as if they are listening to you?
If you answer “no” to any of these questions, or you feel the lawyer is rushing you and side-stepping your most important questions, consider it a red flag. Move on to the next attorney as there is always someone available who will treat you right.
6. Transparent
Most lawyers cannot tell you exactly how much your case will cost at first. Criminal defense cases rapidly evolve and change; your lawyer’s fees may need to be adjusted along the way to accommodate additional services. This is very normal and shouldn’t be considered a “red flag” or suspicious.
However, what is a red flag is an attorney who dodges questions about their fee structure or refuses to provide you with an estimate altogether. Any criminal defense attorney should be able to give you a ballpark figure, as well as a full explanation of how they charge (hourly, on contingency, or on some other schedule) after your initial consultation. They should be upfront about how you will be billed, how you will make payments, and what might happen if you suddenly find yourself unable to pay.
7. Reasonable
Good legal help is often expensive – this is just a matter of fact. Whether or not those expensive fees are warranted, however, depends on the nature of your case.
A lawyer who is serving on a major white-collar crime case will naturally charge far more than a lawyer defending their client from a traffic ticket. Similarly, an attorney who is famous for getting results and handling tough cases successfully might charge more because they put more effort into your defense.
On the other hand, a lawyer who charges you $1000 an hour to defend you against a simple misdemeanor might be more suspicious. This is especially true if the facts of your case are very straightforward. Ask yourself whether the lawyer’s reputation and/or level of work provided really justify the cost.
Conclusion
The most important action you can take when charged with a crime is to immediately reach out to a criminal defense attorney. You can make this connection now by contacting a legal referral service. Reach out today and start your defense now.
If you need to find a lawyer in the Los Angeles area, the SFVBA Attorney Referral Service can help. Contact the Attorney Referral Service today and schedule a free 30-minute consultation with an attorney near you.
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