Facing a criminal charge can be intimidating because your personal and professional life could be heavily impacted. So that they're not and you move on as quickly as possible, you need to hire the right criminal defense attorney. This can be a smooth process if you consider these tips.
Assess Area of Expertise
Not all criminal defense attorneys are equal. Some will have more experience than others in a particular field of criminal defense. So that you receive the best legal advice possible, you need to find an attorney who regularly deals with the charge you're facing.
For example, if you're facing a possession of drugs charge, you need an attorney who has tried many drug-related cases in the past. This particular experience benefits your case in many ways, from the way evidence is gathered to the way paperwork is submitted. These specialty attorneys can work more efficiently as well given their past experience, which helps speed up these court proceedings.
Go Local
When looking for a criminal defense attorney, you have the option of looking nationwide or local. The latter is often a better option for many reasons. For one, local criminal defense attorneys will be more familiar with your state's legislation regarding criminal charges. Having this knowledge is pivotal for building an effective case or plea bargaining for lesser charges.
Also, working with a local criminal defense attorney saves you from having to drive long distances. Meeting up with your attorney face-to-face is thus much more convenient -- making this entire legal process easier to deal.
Choose a Smaller Practice
Although working with a criminal defense attorney with a large practice gives you access to a lot of resources, they may have a large caseload. You'll thus have a harder time reaching out to them and receiving quality time that's necessary to competently deal with this charge.
That's not something you have to struggle with when working with an attorney with a smaller practice. They will clear their schedules and give you one-on-one attention, helping you prepare fully ever before your case goes to court. An attorney with a smaller practice also may not charge as much -- which is ideal if you don't have a large budget for legal advice.
If you're faced with a criminal charge, working with a criminal defense attorney is often your best course of action. Just make sure you carefully choose this professional, so that your case is handled correctly and in a timely manner.
Contact professionals like Funderburk and Lane for more information.
Share27 June 2018
After my mom turned 68 years old, she started doing all kinds of strange things. She spent her monthly retirement checks on excessive amounts of food and clothing but didn't pay her rent or bills on time. At one point, she forgot who I was to her. Since my mom lived alone at an independent apartment complex, I couldn't monitor her behavior every second of the day. I brought these things to my mom's attention, but she refused to get medical help. After my mother called the fire department to report a fake fire, I took legal action. I contacted a general attorney and became my mother's power of attorney. I now had the right to monitor my mom's finances and medical care. If your loved one needs help, read my blog for information on general attorneys. You'll find tips, articles and much more to help you get started.