Life can be pretty unpredictable
One minute, everything can be going great, and then a few moments later things can go sideways. And when things go bad, or you make a few really bad decisions, you might find yourself behind bars.
Getting arrested can be scary and confusing. Whether you consciously broke the law or believe you’ve been falsely accused of a crime, you’re going to need good legal representation.
This article takes a look at the most important questions to ask before hiring a criminal defense lawyer to handle your case. After all, the best defense lawyer can make all the difference.
Keep reading to get the inside scoop on lawyer questions you’ll need to know.
1. What Is Your Specialty?
When choosing a lawyer to handle your criminal defense case, it’s important to remember that every firm is different.
For example, a law firm could specialize in criminal law, environmental law, tax law, family law, or personal injury law, just to name a few.
That’s why it’s so important to find the right firm for your specific case. This is the best way to ensure that your case will be handled properly to increase your odds of a successful outcome.
You might also find yourself needing a skilled health care fraud lawyer.
2. How Much Experience Do You Have?
It’s also important to find out how long they’ve been practicing law. A new lawyer fresh from law school might be ambitious and hungry, but they likely won’t have all the skills necessary to ensure victory in court.
You’re better off looking for a firm with decades of experience representing criminal defense cases.
3. What Is Your Success Rate?
You need a lawyer who wins. It’s that simple. Thus you need to be very upfront about asking about their track record in court so that you can proceed with confidence.
4. Have You Handled Cases Like Mine Before?
There are many different types of criminal defense cases. They can vary from petty theft to first-degree murder. When hiring a lawyer, make sure they’ve handled lots of cases like yours so they can provide the best defense possible.
5. How Do You Handle Billing?
Every law firm bills clients differently. Some law firms charge a flat rate for the case, thus you won’t have to worry about the number of hours they work. Other firms take a percentage of the settlement amount, while others charge an hourly rate.
Keep in mind that most criminal defense firms will likely charge by the hour because there’s unlikely to be a settlement amount involved. So make sure you understand their hourly rate before agreeing to hire them.
6. How Many People Will Be Working on My Case?
It’s also important to ask about the number of team members assigned to your case. This will impact both the quality and price of your criminal defense.
Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Getting caught up in the criminal justice system can be stressful and confusing. Fortunately, this list of questions to ask a criminal defense lawyer will help you find the best legal team for your case.
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Andrea Parker is a reporter for Zobuz. She previously worked at Huffington Post and Vanity Fair. Andrea is based in NYC and covers issues affecting her city. In addition to her severe coffee addiction, she’s a Netflix enthusiast, a red wine drinker, and a voracious reader.
