If you ever are to get in trouble with the law, the ultimate success or failure of your case could have just as much to do with the lawyer you choose to employ as with your own innocence or guilt. Because of this, it’s important that you give the search for a criminal defense attorney the time and attention it deserves. But even if you’ve been putting a lot effort into this pursuit, you still have to know what makes someone a good option for your representation. So to help you in this area, here are three things to look for in a good criminal defense attorney.
Try To Find Someone Local
While you might have heard about popular criminal defense attorneys being brought in for cases from around the country, this isn’t typically the route that you want to be taking for your own case. According to Paul Bergman, a contributor to Nolo.com, it’s usually better if you can go with a local lawyer. Someone who’s used to practicing in your area will have a more intimate knowledge of the court you’ll be appearing in, the judges you could be seeing, and the other lawyers that are practicing on your case. This information and experience can be invaluable when going about your legal proceedings.
Look At Experience Rather Than Years Of Practice
When you’re trying to decide which lawyer you want to work with, there are a lot of different variables that you’ll have to weight. For many people, they might think that picking someone who’s been practicing for many years is going to trump most other characteristics. However, Dan Carman, a contributor to HG.org, shares that looking at an attorney’s particular case experience is usually a much better indicator than just their years of practice. You want to get someone representing you that knows a lot about the exact area of law you’re being tried for, not just about law in general.
Ask The Right Questions When Interviewing Potential Attorneys
Once you’ve narrowed down your search, it’s time to start talking face-to-face with some of the potential lawyers you’re considering. To get the information you need to make an educated decision, Attorneys.com stresses the importance of asking the right questions. Some of the topics you should be asking questions about include the attorney’s background and experience, how their cases get managed, legal fees that you’ll incur, and what they think about your particular case. With this type of information at your fingertips, you should be able to pick which attorney you think will best represent you and work well with your personality.
If you are in need of a criminal defense attorney, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find the perfect one for you.
