Lawyers are not cheap, and they certainly aren't always easy to work with. If you don't already have a good attorney to work with, odds are you will be in for a ride as you try to find one you can trust. Through judging them on several aspects, you can make the chase much shorter.
Pressure is sometimes put on a client to side with an attorney before options are investigated. Don't feel obligated to stay in the office with an attorney that pushes you to make a decision- because this isn't fair to you and just shows you how impatient of a lawyer he or she really is. Instead look at other lawyers and go to more consultations to see who you think has the best options for your money.
Almost no criminal defense attorney you meet with will talk about their mistakes in the past. It's bad for business! But don't hesitate to ask them about several key cases in which they lost, and how they learned from it. Hopefully the attorney will play along with the question and answer truthfully. If so, that attorney is a better pick than those who lie or refuse to give up information.
Don't let an attorney handle your emotions the wrong way. Some attorneys like to tell clients that they know the judge or prosecutor in your case personally, and will speak highly of them. They might even go as far as to say they are good friends with them! This is a common tactic that tries to get you to think that the attorney can "pull strings" for you. In reality, this is probably not the case.
No matter what your budget is, you can always find an attorney that is determined to serve clients with respect. A key example is seen when you ask the attorney if you are able to get a personal contact number from them. If there is hesitation or a strict negative answer, look elsewhere. A criminal defense attorney that doesn't allow clients to contact them in times of emergency only further proves that they aren't focused on their business.
The best way to get an honest review of an attorney is to talk to a past client. If you are lucky, you can go off the advice of your friends to see which attorneys will actually help your case, and which will instead just see you as a walking wallet full of cash. Personal feedback is the best option in weighing your possibilities, but not always possible.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a criminal defense attorney is hard work. Expect to make a day out of the ordeal- and possibly longer! Take your time, even if time is of the essence, and find an attorney you will be happy with instead of settling for less.
Pressure is sometimes put on a client to side with an attorney before options are investigated. Don't feel obligated to stay in the office with an attorney that pushes you to make a decision- because this isn't fair to you and just shows you how impatient of a lawyer he or she really is. Instead look at other lawyers and go to more consultations to see who you think has the best options for your money.
Almost no criminal defense attorney you meet with will talk about their mistakes in the past. It's bad for business! But don't hesitate to ask them about several key cases in which they lost, and how they learned from it. Hopefully the attorney will play along with the question and answer truthfully. If so, that attorney is a better pick than those who lie or refuse to give up information.
Don't let an attorney handle your emotions the wrong way. Some attorneys like to tell clients that they know the judge or prosecutor in your case personally, and will speak highly of them. They might even go as far as to say they are good friends with them! This is a common tactic that tries to get you to think that the attorney can "pull strings" for you. In reality, this is probably not the case.
No matter what your budget is, you can always find an attorney that is determined to serve clients with respect. A key example is seen when you ask the attorney if you are able to get a personal contact number from them. If there is hesitation or a strict negative answer, look elsewhere. A criminal defense attorney that doesn't allow clients to contact them in times of emergency only further proves that they aren't focused on their business.
The best way to get an honest review of an attorney is to talk to a past client. If you are lucky, you can go off the advice of your friends to see which attorneys will actually help your case, and which will instead just see you as a walking wallet full of cash. Personal feedback is the best option in weighing your possibilities, but not always possible.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a criminal defense attorney is hard work. Expect to make a day out of the ordeal- and possibly longer! Take your time, even if time is of the essence, and find an attorney you will be happy with instead of settling for less.
