How to Select the Right Criminal Lawyer

Penny Cooper
May 1, 2012

Despite being innocent, you may find yourself in legal trouble. Accidental acts of criminal behalves can get you in trouble but with the right lawyer, you can evade severe punishments like jail time, steep fines and probations. However, finding the right criminal defense lawyer can be challenging. It is important to find an attorney who understands your situation and knows exactly what you want. Sharing a great rapport with your lawyer is as important as skill and experience. Here are a few steps you can take to get the best criminal lawyer by your side.

Start with an online search

A fairly common way to explore your options for a criminal defence attorney is to start an online search. It is a good idea to look for criminal lawyers that concentrate on specific areas of defence. You could explore different law firms and independent attorneys that work specifically on cases like violent crimes, sexual assault, property crimes etc. Although there are no separate qualifications required for a lawyer to specialise in a field, dedicated attorneys fare better than general attorneys.

Review law firms and attorneys

If you are conducting an online search, choose the top three or four firms listed on the results page and proceed to check their background and credentials. Choose organisations that have extensively worked within your area of interest, be it property crime, sexual assault or traffic violations. If you have been charged with drunk driving, you should ensure that the firm has successfully worked on several cases that cover drunken driving.

Private v public attorneys

Depending on your budget, you can choose between private attorneys and public defenders. Public defenders have to handle multiple cases at a time and may not deliver the best results. On the other hand, private lawyers are more expensive but they can dedicate their time for your case only and do enough due diligence to make your case stronger.

You should also decide your lawyer based on the qualities that are important to you. If you are looking for established and experienced lawyers that are sure to deliver, your costs may run a bit high. However, you can also opt for younger lawyers that not only charge lower fees but also dedicate more time and energy towards your case.

Check for credentials and background

Ensure that the law firm you choose is accredited by the local and national bar associations. Apart from credentials, you can evaluate other initiatives taken by the attorney. If the lawyer regularly publishes papers and teaches at law schools and other law programs, you can be assured of better services. If the attorney under consideration has handled leadership positions at law firms, you can be well assured that he is respected in his community. You can also check bar referrals to find reliable attorneys in a safe manner.

Penny is an expert associated with CK Claims, a UKbased group of personal injury specialists. If you are looking for accident claim solicitors, contact our professionals for helpful advice and services. CK Claims also works with clients looking to file car accident claims.