There are a number of reasons why an individual would be arrested. Some of these reasons are valid in the eyes of the law, while others are vague. If you have done something illegal, you will need to contact an attorney with criminal defence experience to defend you.
Below is what to look for in an attorney who will defend you after you’ve been arrested.
Experience
You want to look for a criminal defence attorney with experience. That’s not to say a new, young lawyer cannot properly defend you, but when you are facing jail time and criminal charges, you want someone who knows what they are doing.
Some lawyers right out of school are hired by big established law firms and they are paired with a seasoned attorney. This is a pair to consider because experience and new ideas could help you with your case.
Don’t Choose a Friend or a Friend of a Friend
You may know someone who knows an attorney, but do you really want to share the details of your arrest with a person who will tell someone you know all about it?
They may be highly recommended, and “not busy at all” in order to take your case, but that seems like a scenario you’ll want to avoid. Although word-of-mouth is a good way to obtain new clients, reputable attorneys don’t rely on their relatives or friends for referrals for work. Instead, search online and read testimonials to find an experienced criminal defense attorney in Fort Worth, or elsewhere more relevant, who will work hard to help you overcome your criminal charges. Working with an independent third party is always the best way to go!
Check with The Experts
Don’t leave your fate to chance. Check with experts like the American Bar Association, the Association of Federal Defense Attorneys, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and/or the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, to name just a few, for a list of competent lawyers in your area.
There are also several websites listing legal referrals with a lot of information. Check the following sites: LawHelp, FindLaw, and AVVO for criminal defence attorneys that are highly recommended in your area.
Narrowing Down Your List
Come up with a list of no more than three or four attorneys in your area you think will do a good job for your case. More than this will become overwhelming and not be of help. You may be on a deadline to choose a defence attorney in a hurry, therefore limiting your choices even further.
If you are looking for legal representation in Northern California, for example, Goss Law is a top criminal defense law firm based in Sacramento that you may wish to consider. Their track record and expertise in handling cases similar to yours could make them a strong candidate for your list.
Look at each lawyer’s advertisement and accomplishments. Have they handled many cases similar to yours? How these answers make you feel are a good sign of whether or not they will work well for you.
Associations
Look to see what, if any, associations an attorney may have. Do they work with a certain judge more than others? What is their success rate with the other judges? These are things you will need to consider to make an informed decision about which defence attorney, you will hire to help you win your case.
Go with Your Gut
In the end, the attorney you feel most comfortable with, get along with, and have a gut feeling they are going to help you, is the one you should hire. Always trust your gut.
You want to choose an attorney that will take your case seriously, not be too busy to work with you and not pass your case on to someone else if something bigger or better comes along.
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