Home Accident Guide to Finding Crime Lawyer

Guide to Finding Crime Lawyer

Guide to Finding Crime Lawyer

How do I find a Crime Lawyer?
     Criminal charges can come in all shapes and sizes.  From common traffic tickets to homicide that can be punished by the death penalty, crime lawyers help clients protect their rights when they are facing prosecution by the government for illegal activity.  Consider hiring a crime lawyer in the following situations:
     – If you are charged with any crime you did not commit or should not be responsible for committing.  
     – If you are charged with a crime that will significantly affect your financial security or has a chance of incarceration.  
     – Or even if you are facing a simple traffic offense that will raise your insurance rates, require hefty fines, or revoke your driving privileges.  
     If you are facing any of the above scenarios, it is important that you have a legal representative to ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process and that you achieve the best possible outcome.  

What to tell your attorney
     It is important that you come to your crime lawyer ready to discuss the facts of your case.  Bring with you any documents relating to your charges, including but not exclusive to police reports, court documents, correspondence from the government, or any other documented items that mention your case.  It will also be very important that you are prepared to give detailed facts to your crime lawyer about the charges.  Come ready to discuss dates, names, times, and places in specific detail.  You should not hold any information back from your lawyer even if the information requires you to admit certain things.  Crime lawyers must abide by confidentiality rules so what you say will be protected.  
Where to look for an attorney
     A lot of crime lawyers will advertise their practice in the localities where they work.  You can find these advertisements on television, newspapers, and even billboards.  While these advertisements may help you to know the names and locations of crime lawyers, do not rely on the claims and promises they may contain.  Only select a crime lawyer that has had experience and success representing clients who are facing the same charges as you.  You should find a private crime lawyer if you can afford it, however in some circumstances you may be afforded free representation if you qualify.  
     Use this website to search and compare crime lawyers by selecting the search function at the top of the page.  
Do I need a specialist?
     You will want a knowledgeable and experienced crime lawyer to help you with your case and represent you in court.  The criminal process is not something that can be practiced without working many years and representing many clients.  Therefore, you should select a specialist in criminal defense when hiring a private crime lawyer.   These lawyers will also know the specific courts, judges, and prosecutors who will be involved in your case, so having a good local lawyer will give you the advantage of local knowledge.   
Preparing for an appointment
     When you meet with your crime lawyer, come prepared to discuss the charges you are facing, the surrounding events, and any other factual information that may relate to your case.  You must bring in any documents that relate to your case, including police reports, summonses, search and arrest warrants, or anything else you may possess.  Do not worry if you do not have some of these items, as they will be available to your lawyer.  But, being able to tell your lawyer which police agency has your files, where your arrest took place, and anything else related will help your lawyer represent you.  
     It can also be helpful to have questions prepared in advance of your meeting.  If you are unsure of anything or want to know more about the process, write questions down and bring them with you.  
Evaluating Experience & Education
     All lawyers must graduate from an accredited law school, pass the bar exam, and meet ethical standards in order to practice and represent clients.  However, it is important that you know how much experience your crime lawyer has before hiring him or her.  The more experience and knowledge a lawyer has, the better they can protect your rights and help you.  Do not rely solely on advertised claims and promises, as they may fall short of your expectations. 
     Conduct some research to discover the experience level and abilities of any lawyer before you hire them.  Use the internet, recommendations from friends and family, or contact local bar associations and court houses for the lists of qualified lawyers.  
Personality & Values
     All good crime lawyers will have the ability to defend a client’s case from the start to finish. They will need to know how to contact and negotiate with the prosecuting attorneys.  Crime lawyers often have extensive knowledge on personal rights, rights of arrested individuals, and police procedure.  They will often attack illegal acts of the police and uphold the constitutional rights afforded to everyone in the United States.  Crime lawyers typically help clients because they believe everyone has a right to a fair trial and they will use whatever tactics possible to secure those rights. 
     While your crime lawyer will most likely have your best interests in mind, only allow a lawyer to represent you in the manner you approve of.  Do not allow a lawyer to act in an unethical manner or to be coercive in their representation.  Remember, the lawyer is working for you and protecting your rights, so you should be consulted for all major decisions.  
Rates, Fees & Retainers
     Usually, crime lawyers will charge their clients on an hourly basis or for a flat fee.  Typically, it will depend on the type of charge, as more serious crimes will require many more hours and will be unpredictable.  
     A flat fee is used for less serious crimes and is a one time fee paid for specific legal services.  For example, a crime lawyer helping to defend a DWI charge may charge a one time fee for all related Defense of the charge.  
     An hourly fee is usually required for more serious crimes.  Before a lawyer will start working on an hourly basis, they will almost always require the payment of a retainer fee, which is an upfront payment that will be deducted from the hourly work as it is finished.  These fees will usually become very high the longer the criminal procedure takes.  
Interviewing your attorney
     Ask the following when meeting with a lawyer:
     What are your fees? How do you calculate them? 
     Will there be any other expenses that I should expect?
     What are the chances of success? 
     Should I try to take a plea deal or should I take my case to trial? 
     What are the positives and negatives of each choice?
     What are your qualifications? How long have you worked on criminal cases? 
     Do you have any other experiences in the criminal justice area?
     When can I contact you? When are you available? 
     When will you contact me to update me on my case?
     What can I do to help my case?
Crime Lawyers
     Crime lawyers are available to give advice and represent clients who are facing criminal charges.  Clients may face a whole range of charges, from minor traffic infractions to serious felonies.  The criminal process can be a very technical and confusing area of the law, so it is important that every individual charged with criminal offenses hire or acquire the services of crime lawyers.  Without the help of crime lawyers, accused individuals may face increased fines, jail time, and other punishments without even the chance of putting up defenses.