What to Look for in a Criminal Defense Lawyer

You might never find yourself in an unfortunate situation where you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer, but it's always good to be prepared for anything.

Being arrested can be scary and stressful, even if you're innocent and know that you have nothing to hide. You will likely have many questions after being arrested and need someone who understands the law and your rights and has your best interests at heart.

For more information on what qualities constitute excellent legal representation, keep reading if you or someone you know requires a criminal defense attorney after being detained.

An attorney is one of the most influential people you will meet after being arrested and spending time in jail. These professionals are there to protect your best interests while ensuring your rights are not violated while going through the justice system.

Since there are so many different lawyers, it can be overwhelming to figure out which is the best fit for you or your friend or family member.

These tips can help guide you in coming to the right decision when hiring a criminal defense lawyer:

Ask Around

First and foremost, ask people you know if they can recommend an excellent criminal defense lawyer. You can also read online reviews from previous customers to see what they thought of their experiences.

When you talk to past clients, you can ask them questions such as:

• How long did it take to resolve their case?
• Did they feel their lawyer was knowledgeable and trustworthy?
• Did they think the lawyer was easily accessible when they had questions or needed help?
• Did they think their lawyer was reasonably priced?

If you don't know anyone who has ever hired a criminal defense lawyer, you can talk to friends and family members who may have hired a lawyer in the past. You can also talk to other people in your community who may have had to hire a lawyer in the past.

You can go to your local library or community center to find out when and where you can attend a legal clinic that provides free legal advice and services. You can also talk to a public defender if you have been arrested and cannot hire a lawyer.

A Good Reputation

You don't want to hire a lawyer just because they are recommended or are the cheapest option. You want to hire a lawyer who has a good reputation. It's best to hire a lawyer specializing in the case you are dealing with.

For example, if you have been accused of drug charges, you want to hire a lawyer who specializes in drug charges. If you've been accused of domestic violence, you should hire a lawyer specializing in this area.

If you have been charged with theft, you want to hire a lawyer specializing in robbery. If you have been accused of assault, you want to hire a lawyer who specializes in the assault.

If you have been charged with homicide, you want to hire a lawyer who specializes in homicide. You want to hire a lawyer with plenty of experience in their field.

While it's great if they have a lot of experience, you also don't want to hire someone too old to stay updated on recent laws and court cases.

You want to hire a lawyer who keeps up with the latest news and has a strong knowledge of how the justice system works.

Know Your Rights

When you or a loved one is arrested, you will receive a court date or be put into a holding cell until you go before a judge and get a court date. You will be allowed to meet with a public defender during this time.

If you can afford to hire a lawyer, you can also request to see a private attorney. If you have been arrested and are unsure of your rights as a suspect, you should speak to a criminal defense lawyer about possible options.

Depending on your situation, you may have a couple of different rights as a suspect, including: 

• The right to remain silent 
• The right to have an attorney present during questioning 
• The right to have a lawyer appointed if you cannot afford an attorney 
• The right to have an interpreter present if you are not fluent in English 
• The right to refuse a search 
• The right to have an arrest or warrant issued in your name quashed 
• The right to a fair trial and due process
• The right to a jury trial.

Look For Experience

Experience is not only necessary when hiring a criminal defense lawyer but also to look at their education and license. You want to hire a lawyer with a request to practice in your state and many years of experience working as a criminal defense lawyer.

You want to hire a lawyer who has been practicing law for at least ten years. You want a lawyer with experience working with your area's court systems. You want a lawyer who knows the judges and how the courts will work on your behalf.

You want a lawyer with experience defending clients of all ages and backgrounds. You don't just want a lawyer with experience working as a criminal defense lawyer. Still, you also want a lawyer with experience working with your specific type of case.

For example, if you have been accused of domestic violence, you want a lawyer who has worked with other clients charged with domestic violence. Or, if you have been accused of theft, you want a lawyer who has worked with different clients charged with theft.

Check Out Their Track Record

You want to hire a lawyer who has a strong track record and has won many cases. You want to hire a lawyer with experience defending clients in the same situation. You want to hire a lawyer with experience winning cases involving your type of charges.

If you have been accused of theft, you want to hire a lawyer who has worked with other clients charged with robbery and has a track record of winning these cases.

Suppose you have been charged with domestic violence. In that case, you should search for a lawyer with experience defending clients accused of domestic violence and a proven track record of success in situations like yours.

You need to look at your specific charges and see a lawyer's track record with cases like yours. If you have been accused of theft, you want to look at the track records of lawyers who have worked with clients accused of theft. You also want to look at reviews and ratings from previous clients.

Don't Hire The First Attorney You Meet

You want to avoid hiring the first lawyer you meet. You want to make sure you are interviewing several lawyers to find the best one for your situation. You want to ask each potential lawyer about the specifics of your case.

You don't want to hire the first lawyer you meet only because they are recommended by a friend or are the least expensive option. You want to spend some time interviewing and researching different lawyers to find the best fit for you.

Consider hiring a lawyer with whom you feel comfortable sharing personal details of your life. Consider hiring a lawyer whom you think you can trust to protect your best interests and fight for you no matter what.

Conclusion

Being arrested is an unfortunate situation that can leave you scared, confused, and unsure about what to do next.

If you have been charged and need to hire a criminal defense lawyer, you want to hire an attorney who is just as prepared as you are to fight for your freedom.

You want to hire a lawyer who has the experience necessary to help you navigate the justice system and will protect your rights.

Ask around, look at their past cases, and interview as many attorneys as possible to pick the best one. Contact Hughes Law (727) 266-0022 to help you with your legal problems.