Are you interested in hiring a criminal lawyer? There are probably thousands near you. Below, we’ve discussed everything to consider to find the right one. Let’s get to it.
Referrals
Whenever someone refers a lawyer, it usually means that they are very good. Speak to the people in your life and ask them if they know an attorney that could help you.
Look online as well. There may be people on forums talking about attorneys that they had good experiences with.
Price
If you are dealing with a serious criminal offense, you shouldn’t be stingy. You might end up getting a lawyer that won’t help you win your case.
Depending on who you’re working with, their payment plan might differ. Some attorneys let you pay them in instalments. When strapped for cash, this route is the best.
Remember that you will be charged per hour. If you work with someone who is quick, you wouldn’t be hit with as high of fees.
When you request the fee structure, make sure that it’s easy to read. There is a chance that there might be many hidden fees otherwise.
Specialty & Expertise
What type of charge are you facing? Get the legal help you need from an expert. It may be a DUI. If you’re a first-time offender, you might only have to have to do community service. However, a second-time offer could get serious jail time. What’s more, your license would be revoked. You would have to pay a hefty fine too.
Working with someone who’s referred is generally a good idea, as they would be experts. Researching the attorneys in your area would help too. Jeff Mass, criminal defence lawyer is known to be an expert in handling drunk driving offenses.
Time
You don’t want to work with someone very busy. This may seem like a good sign, as they wouldn’t be busy if they’re not good at what they do. However, they may juggle you with 100s of other clients. You would get very little attention. Most likely, you would only communicate with the lawyer through their assistant.
Research online. You would find out if the lawyer you’re interested in would juggle your case with many others.
Gut Feeling
Although you heeded our points and are working with an expert, they may not be the best. Go with your gut feeling. The best attorney would be able to answer any questions or doubts you have quickly. Someone who feels unprofessional might not be worth your time. There is a chance that they haven’t won many cases recently.
When it comes to hiring a criminal lawyer, there is a lot to keep in mind. That being said, the points aren’t hard to consider. You must do your research. You would be able to find an attorney that many people recommend. Look hard at their fees structure. You might go into debt otherwise. Work with someone that won’t have any hidden fees either.