How Can You Pick the Best Criminal Defense Attorney in a Foolproof Manner?
Thursday, August 16, 2018, 6:00 PM | Leave Comment
Facing criminal charges and potential jail time is not pleasant at all. Matters become much worse when the allegations are false, and you do not have the right representation in court.
Most people in the US require a criminal lawyer because they want to safeguard their rights or that of their loved ones.
Proving innocence is not always as simple as it seems and truth sometimes needs a nudge from the expert criminal defense attorneys of the city. You may have made a wrong decision in the recent past, and that may have caused a flurry of legal violations. That does not mean you should not get the chance of redemption.
In the US, when a person is unable to afford a personal attorney, the court appoints a defense lawyer for him or her. That is usually a public defender, fresh out of law school, underpaid and overworked.
There is no doubt about their talent or expertise, but they rarely have enough time to focus on the nitty-gritty of the criminal cases. That will leave you with an attorney, who does not have enough time for a new client and a new trial.
You need a team that pays particular attention to your unique needs. It is imperative not to compare legislation services at their cost.
Looking for a criminal defense attorney may as well be one of the toughest things you have done in life. The difference between the right one and the wrong one can mean being a free man or spending considerable time behind bars.
Your attorney should not only have qualification and experience, but he or she should have an impressive portfolio of keeping his or her clients out of the slammer.
Going through a court case involves many factors including wagering ones freedom, finances and social standing. Therefore there is no reason you should keep yourself from accessing the best service you can find.
Seven critical questions you should ask your legal team before hiring them
Apart from recommendations from friends, family and third-party review sites, you can figure out the service quality you can expect from your defense lawyer by asking them a few questions.
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Do you exclusively take cases pertaining to criminal law? How long have you been practicing criminal defense?
What would you do if your sink pipe burst and you had to make a knee-jerk decision about fixing it? Either you would get your hands dirty, or you would call the best plumber in town.
It is sure that you would not call an electrician or your cable guy for consulting on the challenge. The situation is as simple when you are facing criminal charges, and you are in need of some immediate help.
While a jack of all trades might be impressive in other regards, in the case of legislative services it is a concerning quality.
When a lawyer fails to focus on a specialty, it shows his or her lack of depth and training. Only a novice lawyer would prefer to dabble in criminal cases, family law, corporate law and environmental law at the same time.
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Do you have any experience with similar criminal cases?
It is not enough to find someone who specializes in criminal law only. You need someone, who knows the ins-and-outs of cases like yours.
Your lawyer or legal team must have experience in representing people with similar charges and exonerating them in the recent past. Lawyers with enough experience will always know how to get out of a challenging situation.
Whether it is an open and shut DUI or aggravated assault charges, your chosen lawyer should have enough dedicated experience in the field.
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How many jury trials have your lawyer conducted in the past?
You need an attorney who knows how to move past hindrances and help present your version of the truth in court. They need to be able to work with the jury and correctly appeal to them.
A reasonable attorney knows how to put forth arguments in a sound manner and how to negotiate plea bargains if that is a better solution. In short, he or she should know exactly what a situation calls for and how you should proceed.
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Do you have certifications from the Supreme Court or state bar?
Having a qualified lawyer who has passed his bar exams is mandatory for winning a case. Certification is an assurance that your chosen lawyer has the specialization necessary to represent you in court.
A certificate shows that he or she has recommendations from the right places. Certifications are not easy to attain, and one can only get one if they have enough experience and rigorous training.
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Will you directly handle my case or will you get a junior to represent me in court?
It is a recurring problem among famous lawyers and attorneys, who have too many cases on their plate at all times.
In many occasions, they will consult with you before the hearing, but they will send a junior lawyer or a manager to represent you during the deposition.
While most of the paperwork at the attorney’s office requires the service of an assistant and paralegals, a prudent attorney should always handle your case personally. It is the only way you can justify the fees you will be paying for his experience and certifications.
Hiring a junior lawyer is much cheaper than working with an experienced criminal lawyer, so unless the legal team you pick can commit to your case; you need to look somewhere else.
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Are you a member of professional organizations including the National Trial Lawyers Association or the National College of DUI Defense?
When someone is a member of professional organizations for criminal defense attorney Fort Worth or the alumni of a respectable law college, you can be sure that they can promise a higher level of commitment.
Having a former state prosecutor or a veteran with the right connections in the world of law can make all the difference in any criminal case. Their resources and professional relationships can help you stay out of the penitentiary or settle for a lesser sentence in the event of a plea bargain.
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What will be your legal fees and how will it change once the case goes to trial?
The legal fees of an attorney can range from simple hourly rates to cryptic invoices depending on the intensity of the trial.
Understanding the costs can become challenging for someone who has not tangled with the law in the past. So always ask your attorney about the kind of charges you can expect during the consultation process and the effect on the charges once the case goes on trial.
The fees are much higher for certified lawyers, who know exactly what they are doing, and their costs increase as the case goes to trial. Never shy away from asking about the charges since you need to ensure that you get the service you are paying for.
Moreover, discontinuing legal counsel due to surmounting expenses is not a smart thing to do if you want to win the case. Learning about the nature of their fees gives you the chance to predict the costs that are about to hit you soon.
What should you ask yourself while picking a defense team?
Apart from asking them these seven essential questions, you need to ask yourself a few things. While choosing an attorney, you cannot go by gut feeling. You need enough research and deliberation, even with the pressure of the pending charges against you or a loved one.
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What reputation does the chosen legal team have?
Not all legal teams and attorneys have the same kind of reputation in the market. While some are known for meticulous paperwork and aggressive representation, others are known to be slow and prone to err.
Do they have a presence in any of the Top Lawyers lists? Can you find them on the list of the best criminal defense attorney? Do law websites, blogs and previous clients recommend their services?
The cost of hiring an attorney will depend significantly on the reputation he or she has in the field. Awards and accolades go a long way in determining the kind of service you can expect.
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Do your criminal defense lawyer and his legal team inspire confidence?
The way they treat you and the moral support they provide will reflect on your demeanor in court. Relying on intuitions is not smart while picking a defense lawyer.
However, if you have that “annoying itch at the back of your head” or “knots in your stomach,” even after to start working with them on your deposition, you might be working with the wrong people here.
You need a team that can inspire confidence. You should not feel unimportant or like a secondary client. You need to trust the attorney and his team with sensitive information that has the power to change your life.
The criminal defense lawyer you pick will determine where you spend the next couple of months or years of your life. A significant part of your family life and professional life will depend upon the services of your attorney. You have full right to vet them thoroughly and ask them the questions that matter before you sign a retainer.
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