Criminal Defense Attorney

How to Find the Right Criminal Attorney

If you've been charged with a criminal offence, it's natural to want the best representation possible. No matter how smart or experienced you may be, the criminal justice system is so complex that it's almost impossible to properly defend yourself in court. Only an experience criminal defense attorney can give you the representation you need to help you get the best outcome with your court case.

WAYS TO FIND A CRIMINAL LAW ATTORNEY

If you've been charged with a crime, you'll need to retain a suitable criminal attorney as quickly as possible. If you can't afford a criminal attorney, a public defender will be appointed for you.

PERSONAL REFERRALS

To find a criminal defense attorney, start by asking people you know if they have heard of any good criminal attorneys - get referrals. Be sure that these criminal attorneys have tried other cases similar

BAR ASSOCIATION REFERRALS

You can also contact your state, county of city bar association. Call them or visit their website to find a criminal attorney in good standing.

DIRECTORIES

Don't forget the reliable Yellow Pages. Many criminal attorneys advertise or have numbers listed in the Yellow Pages. You can also search online for attorneys in your area using a search engine such as Google or Yahoo. When you find a criminal attorney of interest, do your research - do they belong to any reputable associations, such as the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys? Can you find any articles online that the criminal attorney has written? If so, do you feel comfortable with this particular criminal attorney and their level of expertise?

LOOKING OUTSIDE YOUR AREA

If you can't find a criminal attorney you like in your immediate city, expand your search to neighboring areas but don't stray too far from home. Some people recommend that you want an attorney who knows your local system and is familiar with the unique needs of your geographic area. Others feel that outside attorneys feel more liberty to challenge the system for their clients in jurisdiction they do not spend much time in. This really depends on your case. 
Good criminal attorneys are always busy, so don't discount a criminal attorney simply because they can't meet with you right away. Talk to the criminal attorney's staff instead - the criminal attorney will probably delegate a lot of duties to his support staff and this staff should treat you politely and with respect.

FEES

Most criminal defense attorneys charge by "retainer" - a flat fee that must be paid up front before work can begin. Criminal attorneys with a good reputation will cost more, of course, but their expertise will be worth it. Make sure any criminal attorney you hire has several years of relevant experience under their belt, especially in dealing with the kinds of charges you're facing. Your attorney should have a good working relationship with others in the court system, such as the prosecuting attorney on the case.
Before hiring a criminal attorney, make sure to ask for references and get a copy of the firm's retainer agreement. Have it explained to you in full so you understand exactly what you're signing. Use your common sense and gut instincts - if you find someone who is offering outrageous promises, take this as a warning sign and back off. Also watch out for criminal attorneys who say bad things about their competition.

PROMISES 

Nobody can guarantee a result, not even the best criminal attorneys in the business. Your attorney can promise to do their best for you, but nobody can win every case. If you are promised an outcome, you are dealing with an unethical criminal attorney. They can have an opinion. Be careful of statements like “if you go with someone else you will probably get more time.”