If you or a loved one ever face criminal charges, there’s no doubt that you will experience a tremendous amount of anxiety. And, in the midst of your distress, you’ll need to select a criminal defense attorney. The urgency of your situation may hinder your ability to give careful consideration to finding the right attorney to represent you or your family member.
All practicing attorneys are educated in a variety of areas of law, and regardless of whether you live in Bothell, Washington or Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, all licensed attorneys will meet the requirements set forth by your state. That doesn’t mean, however, that every attorney has experience in handling criminal defense. Here, then, are tips to help you select the criminal defense attorney that will best serve you or your loved one.
1. Look for a Team, Rather than an Individual
Although many law firms employ a business strategy that calls for assigning a single lawyer to each case, this is often not the best approach to criminal defense. For example, when the assigned attorney is working on another case, out of the office, or on vacation, you won’t be able to reach her or him. In addition, since even an attorney with considerable experience isn’t well versed in every situation, your case may suffer. Further, those who are prosecuting your case have a whole team of experts at their disposal; you should have a team on your side as well.
Ideally, you should select a law firm that works as a team. A former prosecutor and a former public defender, for example, would bring distinct perspectives to your case. In addition, the attorneys should have access to investigators and experts who will work on your behalf.
2. Look for Specific, Relevant Experience
Just as you wouldn’t consult a mechanic if you needed your house painted, you shouldn’t hire attorneys that focus on class action suits when you need lawyers who will mount your criminal defense. Find a law firm that concentrates on just a few types of legal matters, including criminal defense. For example, you might look for attorneys that have experience handling DUI, traffic ticket defense, probation violation hearings, and general criminal defense.
3. Get an Assurance of Trial Preparation
Often, criminal defense cases are plea bargained or settled out of court. Attorneys know this, so many law firms will agree to represent you but will never prepare for a potential trial. The result may be a cost savings to you, but such a move may cost you more in the long run. A law firm that prepares for trial is in a much better bargaining position than one that doesn’t. When prosecutors know that your attorney is fully prepared to go to trial, you’ll be more likely to get a favorable plea bargain or even to have your charges dismissed entirely.
4. Obtain the Fees in Writing
When you don’t understand the basis for legal fees, or when an attorney charges by the hour with no limit in place, you can find yourself in financial ruin. On the other hand, you do get what you pay for when it comes to criminal defense matters. Find the balance between the quality of your lawyers and the fees they charge. The best way to do this is to find a law firm that operates on a fixed price (including a trial), and that openly provides their fee structure. Ideally, they should offer a free consultation, at which time they will fully disclose – in writing – all possible costs and fees associated with your case.
By: Chris Robertson
Posts Tagged ‘Prosecutor’
Tips for Finding the Right Criminal Defense Attorney
December 25th, 2009Finding the Best Criminal Attorney For Your Needs
December 15th, 2009
Certainly nobody likes to think about waking up one day and finding themselves in need of a criminal attorney but if it happens it’s good to know that the residents of south Florida have choices. From the Fort Lauderdale attorney, Miami attorney, to West Palm Beach criminal lawyer, the southern areas of Florida have many excellent lawyers to take care of you if and when you ever need their assistance.
Sometimes being an attorney is a thankless job; some people see these lawyers as working for the bad guys. But in our country everybody has the right to a fair trial and that means everybody has the right to legal counsel. That legal counsel should be well educated in the many laws that govern each state and country. A Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer will need to know entirely different aspects of the law than a business lawyer from Boston. A Miami criminal lawyer will need to be well versed in litigation concerning felonies whereas a mortgage attorney will not need to know such things.
A well-educated attorney can make bad decisions that somebody made be less painful when it comes to trial and sentencing. It is the criminal attorney’s job to support the innocents of the client and to make the job of the prosecutor more difficult. The burden of proof falls on the prosecutor and they must prove the clients guilt while the attorney supports the clients’ innocents. Ultimately the client puts his life in the hands of his criminal attorney and that is why it’s very important to make sure one has the best criminal lawyer you can get.
It is a misconception that criminal attorneys only have clients that are of the most deviant of offenders. This is not true. Certainly those accused of crimes such as murder, robbery, and rape need the assistance of a criminal lawyer but also those accused of white-collar crimes in business need the assistant of a knowledgeable criminal attorney as well. A good percentage of clients who seek the help of a criminal attorney are those who are accused of white-collar crimes such as business executive and those in the stock market.
There are many high profile cases that are spotlighted by the media; many criminal attorneys have made a name for themselves when representing one of these high profile cases. This is when a criminal attorney needs to have all his ducks in a row because all eyes are on him/her to see how he/she will represent the client and if he or she will win. Not all criminal attorneys like or even want a high profile case because they tend to be rather difficult cases. Being in the spotlight doesn’t always work well for the defense.
It is safe to say that should you ever need an attorney you will want to get the very best in the business. If you need a criminal lawyer your life is on the line; a good attorney will help you get back your life.
By: Chris Robertson
Criminal Defense Attorney
December 15th, 2009
Where a person is arrested under criminal charges, he needs a representative to legally defend him. Criminal defense attorney is a person who legally represents the accused under criminal charges and defends his right at every stage from arrest to appeal after conviction. He is hired either in private or appointed by government. Employing a criminal defense attorney will make a lot of difference between a jail sentence to discharging the convict without charges. In every case these criminal defense lawyers ensure that the right of the accused is protected through out the proceedings. Hence a qualified, competent and experienced attorney will be the most preferred choice.
Attorney’s Role:
A criminal defense attorney plays a vital role in directing and presenting the case in such a manner that the benefit of doubt will be in favor of the accused their by reducing the severity of punishments. Questioning witnesses in the court is a source of information. He negotiates with the prosecutor for reducing the punishments and their by the sentence.
Framing the case in such a way so as to avoid future legal problems to the defendant; educating the defendant about his status and the outcome of the trial with the defense strategy adopted; helping the accused from low self esteem and fear factor being an outcome of the legal procedures; knowledge and awareness about the legal provisions and defense loop holes; familiarity with the court formalities; knowledge about the hidden cost of pleading guilty; hiring investigators and gathering the facts of the case are the various steps adopted by a defense attorney to defend the accused.
Government appointed Attorney:
On a case to case basis, considering the financial position of the accused the court allows the appointment of an attorney on a request made by him. A declaration about his financial condition should be presented. The attorney or the public defender as he may be called is appointed immediately or delayed for verification. The court bears the expense of appointing an attorney. Where the accused does not qualify for a free help and also not in a position to bear the expense is allowed to pay a portion of the expense.
By: Steven Copper