If you find yourself in need of legal representation for a criminal matter, it is very important that you choose an attorney that is a good fit for your needs. There are many different factors to consider when making a decision about which criminal defense attorney is right for your case.
What Type of Criminal Defense Attorney Do I Need?
In order to choose the best California criminal defense lawyer for your case, you will first want to narrow down your options to attorneys that handle cases for the specific crime you were charged with. For example, there are attorneys that primarily handle drug-related charges, as well as attorneys that handle mostly minor traffic charges. Some attorneys choose to focus their practice on white collar crimes, such as embezzlement, tax evasion, and money laundering. It is generally advisable to hire an attorney who frequently handles cases like yours in the scope of their practice.
How Much Experience Should My Lawyer Have?
Choosing an attorney with a high level of experience handling the defense of the type of crime you have been charged with is important. It is also helpful if your attorney has experience in the particular courtroom your case has been assigned to. By knowing the judge and some of the prosecutors, your attorney may have picked up on some useful tips over the years that can be beneficial to your defense. If your attorney has tried many cases in front of your judge, he or she can use the judge’s tendencies to give you a realistic assessment of your case, which can help ensure that you are moving forward with the best possible strategy for your defense.
What Type of Feedback Should I Expect My Lawyer to Have from Past Clients?
Understandably, criminal defense attorneys do not win every single case that comes through their doors. However, even in cases where past clients ended up with convictions, they may still have had successful outcomes. For example, a past client may have ended up with a misdemeanor on their record, but if he or she had initially been charged with a serious felony, that may have been a desirable outcome for that client. When reading attorney reviews left by past clients, it is important to keep the facts of the cases in perspective. You can find attorney reviews on websites such as Avvo and Yelp, along with the law firm’s own official web pages.
Should I Choose a Lawyer Who Goes to Trial Frequently?
Another question you should be asking before making the final decision and selecting your criminal defense lawyer is considering whether your potential lawyer is willing to take your case to trial. Of course, not all cases need to go to trial, but having an attorney who is comfortable in the courtroom and has vast trial experience is important in the event your case does need to go to trial.
How Much Is the Initial Consultation/Attorney Hourly Fee?
Hiring a criminal defense attorney can be an expensive decision. You will want to carefully consider your finances before making your final choice on who to hire, though keep in mind that the cost of hiring a quality attorney is likely well-worth it to ensure that you are getting the best defense for your case.
Some law firms will offer a complimentary initial case consultation, like attorney Johann Hall. You can contact the law firm you are interested in prior to dropping in to inquire if your potential attorney offers a free consultation or not. During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to ask your potential lawyer what they charge for their hourly fee. Another important question to bring up during the consultation when discussing the attorney fee is to inquire about the firm’s billing practices. Some law firms vary in what time and work they bill you for, with some law firms and attorneys being more lenient than others that may charge you for every possible billing opportunity.
You will also have the chance to learn what initial retainer will be required. A lawyer will generally require a retainer upon hiring, which is a set sum of funds you pay up front to your lawyer that he or she will use to bill from at the early stages of the case. If your case progresses and becomes more time consuming or complex, your attorney may ask for you to advance another sum of money to replenish the retainer, or you may receive monthly billing statements.
Don’t hesitate to call criminal defense attorney Johann Hall today for a free consultation. With his experience in many different areas of criminal defense, he has the skills to handle your case.