Are You Looking For A Good Criminal Defense Lawyer? Here’s How To Find One

Every person has the right to fight against any accusations made against them. The criminal justice system is complicated, and if your attorney doesn’t have a lot of experience, you could be looking at jail time. Luckily, there are ways to find an experienced criminal defense lawyer without too much trouble.

1. Firm Reputation

One of the most important things to look for when it comes to hiring a criminal defense lawyer is the reputation of the firm they work for. Do a quick Google search, and check out what people are saying about them on social media sites.

When looking at the reviews and testimonials, pay attention to how the clients felt during their case. As the lawyers from a  law firm will tell you, a lot of people in that situation feel like they’re facing the world alone. Empathy is important to look for when hiring an attorney.

A good law firm will always put its client’s needs first. They’re willing to go the extra mile to get the best possible outcome for their clients, and they’ll take the time to explain everything clearly so that you understand what’s going on with your case.

2. Communication

The communication between you and your criminal defense attorney is going to be key, so it’s important that there is a decent level of communication from the start.

When you speak with your defense attorney, how easy they are to understand is important. Do they speak in an effective way that you can understand, or do you struggle to keep up with the conversation? Since you probably don’t have a legal background, it’s perfectly understandable that you might need some things to be explained more than once. If the attorney seems to speak over your head, that’s something you want to consider before hiring them.

The less confident they seem in their own ability to communicate with you, the more trouble you may have down the line if things need clarification during the trial.

3. Criminal Defense Experience

The more experience that a criminal defense attorney has, the better it usually is. Not only does this mean that there have been more successful cases from them, but they’re also going to be good at their job.

Of course, it’s not impossible that a layer that’s just starting out is a good one. However, it’s best to ask for their track record when looking at options. Make sure that they’ve worked in this exact field before, because if they’re relatively new, they may not have the experience you need. You can find more information here.

There are some things that are important that just aren’t in any law books, so you want someone who already knows all the tricks that might provide you with a better outcome.

4. Practice Area

Another thing to consider when it comes to finding a good lawyer is what they’re specifically skilled at. Some lawyers focus on DUIs, other on murder cases, and some on petty crimes.

Are you looking for someone who’s skilled in all areas, or does it matter to you what they specialize in? Depending on how serious your situation is, you might want a lawyer who is good with a specific type of crime. A good attorney will always be clear about what they specialize in and won’t be afraid to tell you if they don’t think that their experience with a certain crime will benefit you.

You may not know what type of case you’re up against, but it’s good to have an idea about this before looking for a lawyer. You can always ask them during your initial consultation, and they’ll be happy to let you know their experience with the specific crime that’s most relevant to your case.

5. Availability

Since they’re going to be such a big part of your life while you go through the process, it’s good if your criminal defense lawyer is available when you need them.

If something comes up and they can’t take your call, you want to make sure that you find someone else who will be there for you. They shouldn’t be too busy to listen to your case, and they shouldn’t make you feel like a burden for having called them. Good lawyers are always available when you need them.

They’ll also respond quickly to messages that you leave with them because if something’s urgent, they want to know about it as soon as possible so that they can do their job.

6. Resources

Another thing that you’ll want to consider when looking for a good criminal defense attorney is the resources they have. If something happens and your case needs special research, can they handle it? You don’t want someone who’s going to struggle with anything because it will put your case at risk.

You should never be afraid to ask about this. Before you ever hire someone, you should ask them if they’re confident in their ability to handle your case. They’ll be happy to answer any questions that you have, and you can always find out more information about the experience that they have with the resources that will help you feel more confident in their ability to handle what comes up.

A good criminal defense lawyer is key to getting a positive outcome in the case. They’re able to do all kinds of things, from communicating with you about your case to researching what needs to be done if something comes up and you need help. Make sure that you take these things into consideration when looking for someone who will protect you throughout the process.