Ultimate Guide To Choose The Right Criminal Attorney For You

As any criminal lawyer will tell you, the key to a successful defense is not only staying up-to-date on the latest laws and case precedents in their field. Knowing which new developments can apply or be useful to your client’s particular fact pattern. In this guide, learn how to identify and select the right criminal attorneys for your needs — from jurisdiction to specialization and understand what court proceedings are like for those facing charges.

Some Important Points To Consider

1. Check The Experience Of The Criminal Attorney:

Experience matters because the more experience a lawyer has, the more likely they will win your case. When hiring a lawyer, ask about their experience and what sort of cases they have handled in the past. You will want to avoid choosing a criminal attorney who hasn’t previously worked on cases similar to yours or who has not won in previous cases.

2. Criminal Attorney Specialization:

Most people hire criminal lawyers for federal or state crimes, but some attorneys specialize in a particular type of crime, such as drug charges or violent crimes. This approach can be smart because it enables your lawyer to provide a tailored defense, based on their experience.

3. Check The Attorney’s Qualifications:

Because each judge decides whether or not to allow lawyers with specific training and experience to participate in certain cases, ensure that your attorney has the qualifications for at least one type of case. You should also be able to contact past clients of the lawyer that you have chosen for more insight into their capabilities and reputation in the industry.

4. Consider Their Rates:

You might have learned in school that you should never judge a book by its cover, but that is not entirely true when hiring a criminal attorney. Yes, you will want to find an attorney who handles your case and has won similar cases in the past, but you should pay attention to fees too.

5. Reviews/Reputation:

Criminal attorneys with a good reputation tend to work more efficiently and handle cases better than those with poor reputations. They also tend to be more confident, which could give them an advantage over their opponents during negotiations or court proceedings.

6. Contact an Attorney:

Once you’ve identified a few attorneys who represent your type of case, contacting them is the right way to find out more about their experience and qualifications. You can usually find contact information on their websites, but checking social media profiles for the attorney’s activity is also a good idea.

How Does Criminal Defense Work?

Federal criminal cases begin with a complaint, or the initial stage of the case, which often involves a federal investigator filing an affidavit with the court that charges some person or entity with a crime. Federal agencies often file these cases. The federal complaint is usually supplemented by an arrest warrant, which is issued once the accused has been charged. The accused can then be brought to trial before a judge decides whether or not to allow the charges. If they are allowed, the court will set a date and time for a trial.

Both federal and state cases first go through preliminary hearings with a judge or jury in the state where you were arrested or charged. This is most likely where your attorney can make their case to get you discharged from custody during this stage of the case. You may also have the opportunity to hire an attorney during this process if you cannot afford one on your own.