How to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney
Facing criminal charges is a serious matter that demands serious attention. Being arrested for a criminal offense has the potential to seriously disrupt your life as you may face jail time, fines, and the irreparable damage of a maligned name. If you find yourself in such a position, it is important that you seek appropriate legal representation. Contacting a criminal defense attorney soon after your arrest is imperative to ensure that you are aware of the implications of the charges you face, the various defenses for your case and your rights.
Choosing a criminal defense attorney can be difficult if you have never needed an attorney before. It is important that you choose your legal representation carefully as not all lawyers are created equal. While there is no formula that can guarantee you will hire the best criminal defense attorney for your case, there are several guidelines that should help you choose a good criminal defense attorney.
Generate a list of potential criminal defense attorneys
The first thing that you need to do if you are seeking to hire a criminal defense attorney is generate a list of potential attorneys to interview. To generate a list of criminal defense attorneys start by asking friends and family if they know of any criminal defense attorneys. In addition to asking friends and family for referrals, if you have used a lawyer for other legal needs in the past, ask him or her whom they would recommend to represent you. In addition to these resources, you may also consult your local Yellow Pages or online attorney directories such as AttorneyLocate.com, which usually provide more information. Selecting several attorneys that could potentially represent you in your criminal case will allow you to choose the attorney that will best meet your needs.
Learn specific information about each criminal defense attorney on your list
Once you have a list of criminal defense attorneys that could potentially represent you, you will want to learn several specific things about each one’s practice and legal philosophy. The first thing that you will want to discover is if the attorney practices criminal law. It is very important that you choose an attorney that not only practices criminal law, but an attorney that has experience handling the type of charges you face. Be aware that the federal criminal system is different than a state’s criminal system. As such, if you are facing federal charges, you will want to hire an attorney who has federal criminal defense experience and a thorough understanding the federal criminal system.
Laws surrounding specific types of crimes can be complex and it is best to choose someone who is dedicated to learning as much as they can about one area of law as opposed to someone who knows a little bit about everything. Just like you would not see a pediatrician if you needed open heart surgery, so you should also take great care in hiring a criminal defense attorney when you face criminal charges.
Determine a criminal defense attorney’s experience handling criminal cases
One way to determine if an attorney has the type of experience you need to see how much of their Web page is dedicated to criminal defense. If criminal defense is just one practice area listed among several, you may want to choose an attorney with a more specific practice. Another way to determine if an attorney has the type of experience you need is to see what type of professional associations he or she belongs to. Generally, if an attorney belongs to organizations like the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers or to the ABA’s Criminal Justice section, it is a strong indicator of a lawyer’s dedication to criminal law. Publications and lectures on criminal defense can also help you determine a lawyer’s standing in the legal community.
As you gather information about each lawyer, it is also important to consider where an attorney went to school, if they are good at negotiations, if they have a strong record of securing acquittals, and how they will charge you for their services (see Understanding Criminal Defense Attorney Fees). Depending on your case and what you are seeking, you will want to hire a criminal defense attorney that is well equipped to handle the specifics of your case and take it to trial if necessary.
Watch out for criminal defense attorneys that promise you positive end results
In addition to these things, be wary of any criminal defense attorney that promises you a really good result. An attorney cannot promise you how a case will turn out as the ultimate decision lies with the court. An attorney can tell you how they plan to fight your case and the various defenses available to you, but they can guarantee results. Make your decision based on the attorney’s record with other clients who faced similar charges to yours. If an attorney has a strong record of securing acquittals, it is a good indicator that he or she is a dedicated attorney that is able to build necessary rapport with juries.
Assess a criminal defense attorney’s personality and demeanor
Finally, it is important that you trust your criminal defense attorney and that he or she is someone you feel comfortable with. You will be spending a lot of time with your attorney throughout the course of your trial and it is important that he or she is someone you can work well with.