Felony Lawyers Defined:
Felonies are criminal offenses that carry severe punishments, including prison sentences of more than one year or even death. Examples of felonies include: murder, criminal homicide, arson, burglary, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking, kidnapping, criminal fraud, securities fraud, racketeering and embezzlement. Because of the severity of these offenses, felonies are tried in a criminal court setting. The legal issues attached to the violations concern jurisdiction, the application of criminal law and procedures, including pretrial motions, hearings, bail, fair trial, burden of proof, the right to counsel, plea bargaining, sentencing, parole and post-conviction aid.
Any type of felony conviction is a serious matter, because it involves the loss of rights and the presence of a criminal record. If you are accused of a felony, you should speak to a felony lawyer immediately. These legal professionals are adept at constructing defenses to mitigate or drop charges entirely.
Choosing a Felony Lawyer:
If you are convicted of a crime and have the funds to hire a felony lawyer, you must do so immediately. There are several ways to find suitable representation in a criminal case. Scouring the Internet for criminal defense lawyers in your area or heeding the advice of friends and family may be a solid starting point.
As such, it is recommended that you secure the aid of a felony lawyer by using one of several lawyer directories online or by visiting your state’s BAR Association Website. Although Google searches seem informal–given the severity of the situation—the majority of felony lawyers and their representing law firms will be listed online. Utilize the Internet, for it is the most efficient resource to connect you with legal help.
A criminal conviction has an attached statute of limitations—you must secure legal representation before your trial commences or else the state will grant you a public defender. Because of these time constraints, it is important to rapidly evaluate felony lawyers in your area. Your coordinating state BAR Association website will list all felony lawyers in the underlying area, their experience, credentials and their discipline history if applicable.
Should I hire a Specialist?
Because the punishments and nature of the crime are severe, you will need to hire a felony lawyer who specializes in your particular charge’s subject matter. For instance, if you are charged with a DUI felony offense, you will need to hire a DUI lawyer. It is crucial to match your case with a specialized felony lawyer; their expertise increases the probability of mitigating your charges. Hiring a lawyer who possesses a thorough understanding of the laws revolving around your charge will enable you to develop a sound defense strategy. If you do not hire a specialist, your defense will lack an inherent knowledge of the laws that surround your charge.
What should I look for in a felony Lawyer?
Once you have narrowed your list of prospective felony lawyers to say three or four, you must schedule consultations with each legal professional to gauge their personalities and their ability to handle your case. Unlike civil lawyers, which offer free consultations on the basis of their contingency fee, a felony lawyer will likely charge a flat rate for this preliminary meeting. If you cannot afford several of these meetings, you must perform exhaustive due diligence during your screening phase. Utilize all available resources, including referrals and client testimonies, to find the best felony lawyer for your particular case.
When you first meet with your felony lawyer you must be open with the individual and tell them, in lucid detail, everything that happened the day/night of your charge. You should be completely open with the felony lawyer; a detailed account will facilitate the construction of a sound defense. While you are relaying this information take note of the felony lawyer’s attentiveness. Does the felony lawyer seem indifferent or is he passionate about fighting your charges?
You want to hire a felony lawyer who is professional, reputable, experienced, understanding and passionate about his/her work. You want the individual to be affable, yet determined.
In addition to the felony lawyer’s personality, you must also take note of the individual’s experience. Many people are enamored with scholastic achievements, looks or other ancillary variables; these traits, although beneficial in certain circumstances, are indefinitely trumped by the individual’s experience.
Fees Associate with Felony Lawyers:
Dissimilar to civil aid—who will likely charge a contingency fee–a felony lawyer may implement a variety of payment schedules.
Felony lawyers may charge their client’s hourly, a flat fee, a retainer fee (a set amount is charged each month) or contingency fee (the felony lawyer only gets paid if a favorable outcome is reached). These payment schedules will vary based on the felony lawyer’s or firm’s preference.
The precise amount charged will depend on an assortment of variables, including the felony lawyer’s experience, reputation and the complexity of the underlying case. These elastic measures are typically proportional; the more experienced the individual is, the more money he or she will charge.
Regardless of the felony lawyer’s payment scale, you must secure a full payment agreement before hiring the legal professional. This agreement will serve as a contract; it will hold the felony lawyer legally responsible to charge only what is latent in the contract.
What Questions Should I ask my Prospective Felony Lawyer?
When meeting with felony lawyers, you should ask the following questions:
• Ask for a complete list of referrals
• Is this case complex or have you handled similar matters in the past?
• What is our strategy in regards to my defense? Would a plea work best?
• What is the maximum punishment for my charge?
• How long will this charge stay on my record for?
