Hiring a criminal lawyer is an important step, especially if you’ve been arrested for a crime. Whether you’re facing serious allegations or minor charges, having the right legal team beside you in court is important. This article will guide you on what to look for when hiring a criminal lawyer. Let’s take a look.
Experience in Criminal Law
You want to make sure the lawyer you’ve chosen has experience in criminal law. When meeting with the lawyer some questions you can ask are:
- What areas of law do you specialize in?
- How long have you been practicing for?
- How many cases have you won?
- What is one of the biggest cases you’ve done, without giving away any key information?
Look for a lawyer who has handled situations like yours. You want a lawyer who can guide you through the court process.
Strong Communication Skills
A lawyer you work with should have strong communication skills. The law is full of rules, regulations and complex concepts that are sometimes hard to understand. During your case, the lawyer should:
- Keep you up to date on any court dates
- Walk you through any paperwork you need to sign or fill out
- Explain things in detail if you don’t understand something
- Answer any questions you have about your case
- Have the ability to show confidence in front of a judge and jury
Hiring a respectable criminal lawyer with good communication skills from a firm like Liberty Law is a good starting point to get your case under control. Don’t forget to have an initial meeting first to gauge if they’re the right lawyer for you.
Confidence, Not Overconfidence
When meeting with potential lawyers, try to ascertain how confident they are in defending you. If someone is promising certain outcomes or comes across overconfident, it may be a sign to stay away. The legal system is unpredictable and no lawyer can predict how the evidence from both sides will play out and how the judge will rule in the end.
A good lawyer should be able to give you realistic expectations without being over confident. They should be honest if they think you have a poor chance of overturning a charge, especially if there are more serious charges involved, such as murder or gun violence.
Transparency in Fees
Going to court can cost thousands of dollars, so understanding the potential costs upfront is important and essential before hiring a criminal lawyer. Some lawyers charge a flat fee, while others charge per hour. You also have to be aware of any potential hidden costs, such as the following:
- Charging for every email read that you send them.
- Charging for phone calls, even if they’re five minute calls.
- Charging to scan or print paperwork for your case.
A good criminal lawyer should be able to outline all the fees so you get an idea on what you may be looking at, at the end of your case no matter the crime that was committed. In addition, be sure to examine payment options; do they allow installments to be paid or do they require full up front payment?
Endnote
In order to have the best outcome possible for your case, it’s important to have a criminal lawyer on hand to help soften the blow. By focusing on experience, transparency, honesty, confidence and communication skills, you have the ability to find a lawyer that can defend you.
