“It’s every man’s business to see justice done.”
-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Everyone deserves the right to a fair trial and proving themselves in court. Dealing with a criminal charge can be a traumatic experience and can be a detriment to anyone’s life no matter the situation.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, having the support of a good criminal defense lawyer can make all the difference.
When choosing an attorney, there are many things to look out for to make sure you are getting exactly what you need for your case. Hiring an inexperienced attorney could not only make your situation worse, but also add stress and end up costing you more than just money.
Here are some questions you can ask and some things to look out for BEFORE the hiring process. It is very important to ask the correct questions to help you find the best possible criminal defense attorney with the proper skills for your case.
Some questions to ask before picking the right attorney for you:
- What is the most likely outcome of my case? You want to know if the lawyer has handled similar cases in the same jurisdiction as your case. Ask the lawyer what the best, worst, and most likely outcome of a case like yours.
- Are there options besides going to trial? You want to check with the lawyer if you have the option of a fair plea bargain or if there are any other options for you other than going to trial. Criminal trials are potentially costly, stressful, and time consuming and put your fate in the hands of a jury and judge. If you can avoid all of that, your attorney should make you aware right away.
- How strong is your case? While no lawyer should promise you a guaranteed result, they should be able to evaluate your case and assess what the outcomes could be. Be careful of someone who starts guaranteeing you exact outcomes to your trial. They should be confident, but realistic about your case.
- Make sure you ask how long the lawyer has been practicing. An experienced attorney can make sure you are advised thoroughly on what to expect and all the steps you need to take throughout the legal process. Building a strong defense is a must to assure your case is judged fairly and justly. Make sure your lawyer specializes in criminal law and can give your case the attention it deserves.
In addition to these questions, make sure to check the lawyers credentials,
look up testimonials of past clients if possible, and of course, how much will
you be charged for their service?
If you are charged with a crime, the importance of a criminal defense lawyer
cannot be understated. Professional attorneys have saved people unjust time
in jail and penalties that would have followed them throughout their lives.
We all make mistakes and defense attorneys have seen it all.
Everyone has the right to a fair trial and a good criminal lawyer can get your
life back on track. They work for every day people who have been convicted of
all different kinds of crimes and don’t look down on you for trying to get your
case tried fairly and quickly.
Here are some essential things to look for when searching the right attorney for your case:
- Knowledge: Lawyers must have extensive knowledge about criminal justice laws to win cases. Make sure your attorney is specialized for your type of case. Wisdom comes from knowledge, as they say and this definitely applies to criminal justice lawyers, especially since laws are always changing.
- Communication Skills: With anyone in a position of power who you put a lot of faith into, you always want to be kept in the loop. Lawyers must be good at communicating when it comes to the constant changes that can happen in the criminal justice system. Listening to you and being respectful of your wants and needs during the case and
trial are a huge must. You want to feel heard and understood while going through a stressful time. - Superior Judgment: Being professional in one’s field is just one trait that makes someone great at what they do. Having good judgment is a fundamental quality that will assure your success in the future. Your attorney can’t afford to be wishy-washy, for your sake and your case.
Jeremy Widder Law is on Your Side
With all these qualities to look for, you may feel a bit overwhelmed, but we hope that these tenets will help you on your search.
Experience, kindness and great judgment are essential to help you get the outcome you deserve. At Jeremy Widder Law, we have experience in a wide range of legal practice areas, and leading with compassion, we deliver top-notch legal services backed by years of experience.
We are committed to walking with you from start to finish and giving your unique case the attention it deserves.
We’re ready to help. Let’s talk.
