Choosing a criminal defence attorney can be a stressful process, but it is the last thing you want to rush into. Although lawyers can be convincing, don’t make the mistake of hiring the first one you talk to. Your life and freedom are crucial, so you must choose wisely. To help, here are 5 tips on choosing a criminal defence attorney.

Make Sure the Lawyer Specializes in Your Type of Case

When selecting a lawyer, you want to make sure this is not their first time dealing with your type of case. Criminal law is a wide branch of law. So, if you are being charged with a DUI, don’t select an attorney who is only experienced with sexual assault cases. Look at your prospective attorney’s case history to determine what they have the most experience with.

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Check the Reputation of the Attorney

When picking a criminal defense attorney, you want to make sure that they are the right fit for you and that they are effective. The first thing you should check is your attorney’s licensing. To do this, you can go to your state’s bar association for information on them. They should be licensed in your district and experienced there. It makes a world of difference in a case when the attorney is familiar with the judges and district attorneys. Another thing to check is their criminal defence record. This should be done for two reasons. One, as stated before, you want to make sure they are experienced with your type of case. Another reason is to make sure they have a decent success rate in the courtroom.

One last point to ensure your attorney is reputable is to check testimonials. The best people to get testimonials from are our friends and family. If this isn’t possible, you can always read reviews from past clients.

Pricing

Pricing is something you should determine before making any commitments to your prospective hire. You want to get this squared away immediately. That way you know what to expect from them and how much you will need to pay. This is good to get figured out in the beginning so there aren’t any complicating factors down the line. They should be clear about the fee structure and give an honest estimate of the bill’s total cost.

Does your Attorney Work Alone or with a Team?

Sometimes it is in your best interest to have a team of law professionals work on your case and sometimes it isn’t. If your case is simple and you know that your price range is limited, it might be best to find a solo practitioner. However, if your case is extremely complex and of utmost importance, it is probably best that a lawyer, as well as a legal team, works on your case. It is also useful to have a legal team just in case something happens to your lawyer as your court date draws near. Having a solo practitioner can be a danger if they are to get sick or have a family emergency right before your trial.

If your Lawyer Makes Guarantees, Run!

Anyone that is familiar with the law and knows how courtrooms operate is aware that there are no guarantees in this field. What you should want from your lawyer is confidential. They should seem physically calm when speaking to you and well versed on the subject of your case. What you want to avoid is an attorney that claims they can 100% win your case. This is a clear sign that they could be misleading or manipulating you for a short term payoff. Hire an attorney that is confident in their ability and success rate but does not make bombastic statements, like that they are a “get out of jail free card”.