No one wants to think about it, but if you or a loved one is facing criminal action, hiring a criminal defense attorney is inevitable. Over 80% of persons charged with a felony in the largest counties and 66% in the U.S. district courts had public defenders, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Having your own criminal defense attorney could be what keeps you or a loved one out of jail.
Expertise
Most attorneys have a specialization that they are best at. You’re going to want a defense attorney who either specializes in your case or has done many of them with good results. Not every criminal defense attorney is great at handling every crime. Finding one that specializes in your specific type of case will mean they are better prepared and have better legal precedents to help you fight your charges.
Consultations
A first consultation is a great way to find out if an attorney is the right fit for you. However, finding multiple attorneys that charge you for consultations can be a waste of money if none of them are fit for your case. When searching, you should contact attorneys that have free consultations. This way, you can meet with several of them to determine which one you should hire. They will not all be the same. By getting a free consultation, you’re able to save money as well. Having multiple options will allow you to choose which attorney is best fit for you and your case.
Communication
You should pick an attorney that is great at communication. Having to chase your attorney down for a reply will add unwanted stress to your day. A reliable attorney will be able to answer your messages and calls in a timely manner during their work hours. There should be good open communication going back and forth about your case in order to keep things moving smoothly.
Money
You are going to be paying for a private criminal attorney rather than a public defender. Because of this, you are going to want to know precisely how you will be billed. You can get a rundown of costs, what may be added and why, and get a good payment plan in place. By understanding the fee structure before everything else gets started, it will be one less thing to worry about.
Reviews
You should always read the reviews that have been posted about them and see if there is a common thread that should serve as a red flag. If their reviews talk about their lack of communication or surprise billing, then you will have something to bring up at the consultation.
You should feel completely at ease and confident with your choice of a criminal defense attorney. You are putting a great deal of trust in them and they should respond well to your needs. We understand that criminal lawyers work for their clients and should be responsive and caring. If you’d like to talk more, we’re here to help, give our office a call today.