Take time to do research before you hire a defense attorney

If you are facing criminal charges, one of the first things you will need to do is hire a defense attorney. Your attorney is the handler of your case and your personal advocate. He or she will manage your plea negotiations, collect evidence and prepare your arguments. It is, therefore, imperative that you retain the right attorney to defend you. To guide you through the process of selecting the right attorney here is a quick little guide to some issues you should consider before retaining your lawyer.

Does this attorney offer free or low-cost consultations? Most attorneys will determine if they are capable of assisting you. During that initial consult, you will likely feel pressured to sign that attorney right away. If you can, don’t feel pressured, take your time when selecting your attorney. You can take multiple consultations to ensure that you find the right lawyer to defend you.

Ask the attorney about any references or testimonials from former clients or colleagues. The best way to learn about your attorney is through his or her prior clients. Ask your friends and colleagues for any advice about the attorney or to connect you with former clients, the more information, the better.

Ask the attorney about their experience regarding your particular issues. Attorneys, just like any other job, end up focusing their practices on a few areas of law based on their experience. You need a lawyer that can take your case and immediately begin managing it.

Don’t forget to ask about the billing procedures. Talking about money is uncomfortable, but your lawyer is an investment. Ask him about his rates and any payment plans.

Finally, do you feel comfortable with this attorney? Don’t be afraid to walk away if you are not comfortable. You need to trust your lawyer.

Facing a felony charge and potential prison time is terrifying. Your natural inclination is to bury your head in the sand and hope the problem goes away because to face these charges is to admit that they are real. This is a natural reaction, and everyone goes through it. But it is important that you don’t let those feelings overwhelm you, you need to confront these charges head-on before the process gets away from you. By hiring the right attorney, you give yourself the chance to achieve your best possible outcome.