When you have been arrested and charged with a crime, it is important that you’re reaching out to an attorney regardless of the severity of the offense. This is because such cases could get out of hand quickly and you don’t want to be on the receiving end as there could be serious implications. It could sometime mean going to prison or losing your job. Getting an attorney should be the first thing on your mind. It could be the first time that you’re searching for an attorney and don’t know what to look for. Here are some tips that will come in handy with the selection process.
Don’t Wait
You shouldn’t delay looking for a criminal defense attorney. Things could be getting worse without you knowing. Your first court day might be way out but it is important to note that getting a good attorney could take some time. You don’t want to settle on the first person you come across. Getting an attorney early will improve the outlook of the case as he or she will advise on what needs to be done.
Getting the Right Attorney
This will not be a straightforward process given the complications involved when it comes to selection. There are just too many attorneys out there even if you narrow down the search to your locality. A good attorney is one that provides a free consultation. The majority of criminal defense attorneys will offer a free consultation and you can take advantage of this to know where you stand with the case. Make sure you’re asking important questions. It will be a good idea to meet with the attorney in person so that you can know what to expect from the attorney should you decide to work with him or her.
Practice Areas
It is important to ask how much of the attorney’s practice dedicated to criminal defense is. There are attorneys that will occasionally take criminal defense cares while there are others that only specialize in the branch of law. Getting a highly recommended federal crimes law firm from Florida will require that you’re doing due diligence. The focus area should be on criminal law. This gives you the confidence that your case will be handled with the utmost professionalism.
Experience
The number of years the attorney that the attorney has been practicing will obviously be an important consideration. It should be noted that there are no guarantees that you will get quality representation just because an attorney has lots of experience. You should be looking for an attorney that has handled a similar case to yours in the past. They will be in the best position to know how to approach the case. A good number of criminal defense attorneys focus on DUI cases when you could be facing a serious charge. There is a high chance that you’ll go with an attorney that is familiar with your case.
Knowledge of Local Courts
Make sure you’re working with a local attorney. He or she will not only be familiar with the local laws but also the local courts. A local attorney will know the judges and prosecutors. This can be used to your advantage because they’ll know the best-case scenarios for the case.
Fees
To avoid disagreements in the future, you’d want to know how much you’re expected for the legal representation. You can expect to be charged by the hour or a flat rate. It all depends on the attorney that you’re working with. Flat rates are common in criminal cases because of the complexities involved. It might not be fair to charge by the hour. Even if you’re being charged a flat rate, it is important to ask what it covers.
Who Will Be Handling Your Case?
If you reached out to a law firm, it might not be clear who will be handling your case. If it is a solo practitioner, you can be sure that he or she is the one that is going to be handling the case. When dealing with a law firm, make sure that you know the person that will be representing you in your case as early as possible.
Responsiveness
It could be the first time you’re involved in a criminal case and will have a lot of questions that need answers. That is why you should be looking for a responsive attorney who will always be there in your time of need. A good attorney that has your best interests at heart. They should be able to attend to your needs even if they have other clients.
