I’m sure hiring a defense attorney isn’t at the top of your to-do list. Occasionally, life throws us lemons, and you may find yourself in a situation where you have to find one of the best criminal defense attorneys in your area. During this extremely stressful and unpleasant time, it’s essential to do some necessary research before hiring a criminal defense attorney.
With your future on the line, it’s best to find an experienced attorney. The wrong choice of an attorney may result in lengthy jail sentences, high-priced fines, or other significant consequences.
All attorneys will try to sell themselves promising to get you out trouble. If you haven’t worked with an attorney in the past, it’s hard to determine which one can get you out of this. Consider the following five things to know before hiring a criminal defense attorney to represent you in court.
- Find an Attorney That Specializes in Cases Like Yours
There are several different kinds of defense attorneys; they all specialize in various areas of expertise. Before you hire a defense attorney, make sure they’re familiar with the conditions of your case. Explain your situation, in detail, to any attorney you’re considering hiring. Ask the attorney if they’ve represented others in similar circumstances, you should even go as far as to ask the outcome of the case. It’s easy to find criminal defense attorneys, but finding one with a proven track record can be difficult.
- Verify Experience in Local Courts
Once you’ve made sure the attorney, you’re considering specializes in cases like yours; you’ll need to make sure they are familiar with the legal system in your area. The attorney should have a working relationship with the local DA, judges, and other persons within the legal system. Attorneys that are familiar with the court system will be aware of the best way to present your case when the day comes. Judges may be more open to conditions and deals when they’ve worked with an attorney in the past.
- Be Clear on Billing Procedures
Billing procedures probably aren’t the first thing on your mind currently but knowing how your attorney is going to bill you and what coverage of services you’ll receive is essential. Some attorneys prefer to be paid by retainers while others prefer a fixed billing amount or an hourly rate. Some attorneys may even have their custom billing plan.
- Consider Feedback and Ratings from Previous Clients
Just like any other service, research to see what other clients have said about this attorney. This will help you get an idea of what to expect from your attorney; you’ll gather information on the attorney’s communication skills, track record, and how they’ve treated past clients. There are legitimate rating sites and other sources that contain reviews and ratings. Spend an ample amount of time looking and avoid any reviews that seem too positive or fake.
- Choose an Attorney That Communicates
Your attorney should excel at communicating. You’ll be hiring the attorney to represent you in a very stressful situation; it’s vital that you can openly communicate with them. Poor communication will not help your case. If you have a question, you should be able to reach out to your attorney and receive an honest answer. The attorney should also keep you up to date with proceedings. If you feel like you can’t trust your attorney or get ahold of them when needed, keep looking!
