Facing a criminal charge might take a toll on your finances and mental health. The scenario worsens if you’ve to deal with the challenges of choosing the best criminal defense lawyer to defend you. Many convictions can lead to jail time and criminal fines, so a professional at Tully Rinckey can help protect your rights and fight for your justice.
Let’s delve into six tips to help you choose the most suitable criminal defense lawyer.
1. Ask for Their Fee Structure
Be wary of lawyers who extort you by covering some unnecessary charges by using vague terminologies. A trustworthy criminal attorney doesn’t act shady regarding their fees. Draw up a contract when hiring an attorney to help you avoid hidden charges.
Before the case starts, this contract must state the terms you agree to. Also, be cautious of strange pricing that can be too high or too low. If your attorney offers you services at a ridiculously low price, it can mean two things: the defense lawyer you’re about to hire has a bad reputation, or they might bring up hidden charges in due course.
It would help if you were skeptical of a lawyer charging too high for their services. An attorney might charge too high due to their popularity and not their success rate. Please, pay high when you’re assured of getting your money’s worth.
2. Make Sure They Can Communicate Effectively
Lawyers are paid to communicate with their adversaries and those hearing your case. It is equally important to hire a lawyer who communicates effectively with you. You want a lawyer who anticipates your questions and updates you on your case proceedings without having you call them first.
The lawyer should have the ability to communicate in an understandable and organized manner. They should also have good judgment when an e-mail or other personal communication is most appropriate. Lastly, when you’re asked to act or make a decision, your lawyer should succinctly explain the different courses of action and matters relevant to your decision.
3. Choose a Lawyer Who Listens to Your Concerns
Criminal lawyers with a high success rate form a good lawyer-client relationship with their clients. With the right lawyer, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands. So, ensure you’re comfortable with your criminal defense attorney before hiring them.
4. Confirm Their Location
Whether you use a national or local specialist depends on the nature of your case. For example, worker’s or real estate compensation matters are handled locally. While national specialists can best handle matters of federal law like labor law. Thankfully, technology and transportation make it easier to use a specialist from any corner of the country.
A lawyer familiar with your locality has better knowledge of your local procedures and laws. Remember, facial communication is better than telephone conferences or email. So, it would be best to hire a lawyer close enough to visit the area of the problem in short order.
5. Assess the Depth of the Lawyer’s Resources and Support Network
Whether you pick a small or large firm depends on the nature of your charges. A large firm can handle complex cases on a caseload. A larger firm can also have more experience and resources than a smaller firm. For example, they’re likely to have an information retrieval system that might save you money on writing projects. In preventing legal claims, large firms will likely have informative newsletters, websites, educational publications, periodic breakfast briefings, or client training seminars for you.
6. Trust Your Instincts
If you’re uncomfortable with someone, choosing them is not a good idea. Take your time interviewing several different attorneys and choose the one you feel can handle your case perfectly. With the right lawyer, you can rest assured that you have a high chance of winning your case.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a criminal defense attorney is a big decision. Please ensure you find someone experienced enough to handle your case and is comfortable with them. Hopefully, these tips will help you find the best lawyer for your case. Don’t fear asking questions, and don’t forget to ask for their fee structure. Increase the chances of winning your case by hiring the Tully Rinckey professionals now!
