Selecting a Criminal Lawyer

An individual or business entity charged with any kind of criminal activity requires professional guidance from a professional criminal lawyer. Below are some pointers on how to find adequate legal representation.

Research

It is very important to find a defense lawyer who is experienced in criminal law. Similar to doctors, attorneys specialize in their services. The criminal legal process is a highly complex field. Therefore, only an expert criminal attorney should be engaged to represent you regardless of what type of case it is.

It is also best to engage a lawyer with specific experience pertaining to your kind of case. For example, if you are charged with a driving offense, ensure that he or she has many years of experience handling similar matters.

There are many ways to find suitable legal representation. The local bar association offers referrals and people you know also could be good resources. There are many legal forums online where you can inquire about legal representation and search in databases for criminal lawyers in your area. Be prepared to speak with several attorneys before making a decision on who will represent you and handle your case.

Investigate

Before choosing a few lawyers to speak with, check on his or her background online through a search engine. While this will not provide all of the information you need it could provide helpful information. Perhaps certain criminal lawyers are associated with similar matters to your own.

Check with the local bar association to ensure that he or she has not been disciplined and to ensure that all licenses are valid.

If you know someone who works in the legal profession or system check to see if they are familiar with the criminal attorneys you are considering.

Prepare

Prior to speaking with any legal professional gather all of your facts about the situation such as time, place, form and event. Every detail could be critical so ensure that you have all of the pertinent information prior to speaking with a criminal lawyer. Any attorney you speak with will need all of the facts about your case in order to assist you.

Questions to Ask

After you have decided on a few lawyers to speak with, find out:

1. The extent of their experience handling your type of case.

2. What the fee structure will be and exactly what is included. Often, a criminal lawyer will offer a free consultation. However, once engaged, there is either a flat or hourly fee. When charging hourly, lawyers charge for every phone call and interaction with you or on your behalf.

3. Who will be handling your matter. Some lawyers have a staff of attorneys who might be handling your case, while the lawyer you are speaking with will supervise. Make sure you are comfortable with that situation prior to engaging his or her services.

Finally, ensure that the criminal lawyer carries malpractice insurance. The ultimate goal is to find an experienced, credible criminal lawyer to represent you and handle your case in the most effective and expedient way possible.

Frank Hardesty is a criminal lawyer serving Toronto, and the greater surrounding areas. If you have been charged with a criminal offense don’t take a gamble on your freedom click here and get your best defense.