Being convicted with a criminal offense can have serious implications. You could be facing years in jail and it is not something that should be taken lightly. The first thing to do when you have been accused of a criminal offense is to look for an experienced criminal defense attorney. A good attorney will make the difference for your case. Getting the right lawyer can be a challenging endeavor. You will not have a lot of time to go through different listings when you’ve been accused of a criminal offense. Here are some tips that will come in handy when looking for a criminal defense attorney.
Experience
You need to be certain about the experience of the attorney. You don’t want to work with someone who is just out of law school. Not all lawyers are the same. There is specialization to think about. Ideally, the attorney should have experience with criminal cases. When looking at the experience, it is crucial that you ask about their credentials. Where did the attorney go to school? How many years have they been practicing criminal law? The more years of practice, the more the experience. A good attorney should have more than five years of experience. This will give you the confidence that you’re having the best representation.
Referrals
One of the easiest ways you can get a criminal defense attorney is by asking friends and family for a recommendation. Even if they’ve never been in such a predicament, they’re likely to know someone who has and it will be a lot easier working with an attorney that has been referred to you as opposed to getting someone on the internet. You might also have a family lawyer and you can always ask them for referrals for a criminal defense attorney that you can trust.
Fee Structure
It is imperative that you’re aware of the fees that you will be paying before you decide to work with the attorney. The fee structure should be elaborate so that you’re aware of what you are getting. The attorneys should not have a problem explaining the billing process since you will have transparency right from the beginning. It is recommended that you’re getting quotes from different attorneys so that you can have a rough idea of what you’ll be expected to pay in terms of fees.
Courtroom Experience
There is a high chance that you will be taken to court. You need to look for an attorney with trial experience. Courtroom confidence is key when trying to argue a case. A lawyer that is intimated by the jury will not be persuasive with the argument. Criminal cases are known to move fast and having an attorney that thinks on their feet is going to come in handy. Your attorney might only have a few seconds to make an objection. They are supposed to come up with a counter-argument on the spot so that it doesn’t feel like they’re losing a grip on the case.
Resourceful
Sometimes criminal cases can drag for too long. That means that a lot of resources might be required to fight the case. If you’re working with a law firm, make sure they have enough resources for the case. A law firm like Stroleny Law, P.A. has what it takes to aggressively represent you in your criminal case. An attorney that is resourceful will ensure that they’re doing everything possible for you to get the best legal representation.
They’re Available
A good criminal defense attorney should be available when you need them. You don’t have to wait for two days before you can meet them. Since it is a criminal case, it deserves to be taken seriously. If you can’t have confidence in your attorney, you will be better off looking for someone else. The attorney should also take directions from you. In the end, the case will be yours to defend. A good attorney will take time to understand what you need, including the goals and objectives for the case. Their work is to mount a formidable offense so that you’re getting the best representation.
Good Communication
Good communication is critical for the success of your case. You want to be kept in the loop about all the latest developments. The attorney should have an open and transparent communication process. They should also be honest with you about the possible outcomes for the criminal case. This will help in managing expectations so that you don’t end up being disappointed with the determination of the case.