When you are facing criminal charges, it is a serious matter that requires your complete attention. Not only could you end up with jail time, but this could be detrimental to your family and friends as well as they learn to go through life in your absence. If you are faced with a criminal charge, the best thing you can do is hire a criminal attorney to represent you in court. Instead of settling for a court-appointed attorney that is overworked and spread thin across dozens of cases, hire a private lawyer to handle your case and you can be sure you get the best outcome. So how do you actually find and hire a criminal attorney? Here are some tips to help you get started.
First, compile a list of criminal attorneys in your area. You can find lawyers by looking online or browsing the phone book. Talk to family and friends or ask around at your local courthouse to get a recommendation. Perhaps you have used an attorney previously for another issue. Ask that attorney for a recommendation for the best criminal attorney in your city. Once you have a list compiled, it’s time to start conducting interviews.
Your next step is to compare the attorneys and find the most knowledgeable, experienced lawyer to represent you. Most attorneys will offer you a free consultation so take advantage of this and go meet the lawyers face to face. Ask about their legal experience, their criminal case outcomes, and their philosophy in law. Each individual has a different point of view and process, so learn these details before you make a decision that could impact you and your loved ones for years to come.
You should also take note of the attorney’s personality. Do you get along well? What is your gut feeling during the meeting? Ultimately, you will have to spend a lot of time with the attorney so it’s important that you can tolerate each other and preferably get along well. Choose an attorney that will be a good fit for you. Find someone who is thorough in investigation and listens carefully to the details you offer.
Finally, beware of any criminal attorney that promises a positive outcome before they ever look at your case. While you want your case to end well, you shouldn’t be naïve in choosing an attorney. Until the lawyer has fully investigated the facts and seen the evidence held by the prosecution, he or she cannot make any promises. Even after viewing the necessary files, it is ultimately up to the judge how things will end. Choose an attorney who is honest with you about your chances and it will make the hearing much easier to handle.
