Hiring a Criminal Lawyer: The Information You Need

If you're facing charges, it can be one of the most stressful things you will ever experience. But what you need right now is not a therapist but a good criminal lawyer. The system is in place to arrest, charge, and successfully prosecute people who have been caught in an investigation (or in the act). While there is plenty of lip service given to an individual's rights as the defendant, it is largely up to you to make sure those rights are protected. Without a good attorney by your side, this will be difficult to do. Here is the information you need to make a good choice.

Their Experience

There aren't many factors more important than experience when choosing a criminal lawyer. An attorney with the finest diploma from the most prestigious school can't hold a candle to another who has been plying his trade for the last fifteen years, day in and day out. If you have two attorneys with the same experience, there's nothing wrong with giving a slight edge to the one with the degree from Harvard. Even then, however, there are probably more important considerations that should go into your decision.

Availability

You can hire the best criminal lawyer in the country, but if they aren't there to answer your questions and take your calls, what good are they? You need someone who is willing to devote a significant amount of time to your case. If you get the impression that the attorney you're considering is too busy for your case, you may want to think about going elsewhere. People in the legal profession are going to be busy; unless their practice is failing, they aren't going to be at your beck and call 24/7. But that doesn't mean you should have to wait days for a call back. If you found it very difficult to get an initial consultation, that could be a sign that the firm is too busy for your case.

Reputation

A criminal lawyer lives and dies on his reputation. Find out as much as you can about that reputation before you make a decision about hiring one. Ask around. If you're currently locked up, you may want to ask some of the other inmates, if they are willing to talk. If you're out, try to see if there is anything online that can help guide you to a decision. You don't want to hire an attorney only to find out he is considered a joke in legal circles.