Criminal proceedings are not only stressful, they can also lead to extremely serious consequences both short and long term. If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence, it’s important to engage a criminal lawyer who knows the landscape, who understands the law and who is capable of assisting you to make some of the most difficult decisions you ever have to confront. You need a lawyer who can advocate for you in court – an environment that is completely outside ordinary life experience – but is the work place of criminal lawyers.
Choosing the right criminal defence lawyer is one of the most important decisions you will make when facing criminal charges. A good lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case, so it is important to take the time to choose the right one and get the best possible legal representation.
Experience & Reputation
Criminal law is constantly changing, developing and becoming more complex and specialised. When hiring a lawyer, you want to choose one that has criminal law as their professional focus, and, critically, has experience in working on cases similar to yours.
A lawyer who specialises in criminal defence will have a better understanding of the legal system and the strategies needed to get you the best possible outcome. They will have in-depth knowledge of criminal law and the process that awaits you. Getting clear advice about the steps that lay ahead and the different ways your case might go will go a long way to easing some of the inevitable anxiety inherent in any criminal proceeding. In addition, a lawyer with experience dealing with cases of a similar kind will be able to advise you accurately about the range of potential outcomes. Often people will read articles in the paper and be given a completely distorted view of what is likely to happen in their case – having a lawyer with real and relevant experience will ensure you are properly informed, which will assist you to deal with the overall process.
The task of a criminal lawyer is to assess the case you face and to determine the best way of meeting it and dealing with it. This sometimes will involve simply identifying that the prosecution case is flawed and then exposing those flaws. Other times it will involve obtaining evidence to advance your defence or to mitigate the penalty. No case is identical and only a specialist criminal lawyer will be able to assist you by identifying what your case needs.
In many cases, an experienced criminal lawyer can negotiate with the prosecution to have charges reduced or dropped, or to secure a more favourable outcome for their client. If your case goes to trial, an experienced criminal lawyer will have the courtroom experience and advocacy skills necessary to represent you effectively and present a compelling defence.
Hiring an experienced criminal lawyer can provide you with the knowledge, expertise, and support you need to effectively navigate the legal system and achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Communication
Communication is key when working with a lawyer. When you’ve been charged with a criminal offence, it can be a confusing and overwhelming experience, so it’s important to choose a lawyer with whom you feel comfortable.
You want a lawyer who is responsive to your questions and concerns throughout the entire process, and who keeps you informed about the status of your case. Within criminal law there can be a lot of terminology you may be unfamiliar with, so you need to be able to work with a lawyer who will help you understand what you are facing, so you can make informed decisions that may impact your future. Make sure you are comfortable with your lawyer’s communication style and that they are willing to take the time to explain legal terms and procedures to you.
Being charged with a criminal offence can be a stressful and anxious time, but an experienced criminal lawyer can help alleviate some of that stress by handling the legal aspects of your case and keeping you informed throughout the process.
Legal Fees
When dealing with criminal charges, you don’t also want to have the stress about the financial aspect.
Ask about the lawyer’s fees and how they are structured upfront so that you can factor it into your decision. Some lawyers charge a flat fee, while others charge by the hour or on a contingency basis. Make sure you understand how you will be billed and what services are included.
Some law firms may also support work through legal aid. There are limitations surrounding who is eligible for a Grant of Legal Assistance which relate to the offence you have been charged with and your financial situation. When speaking with lawyers about your case, you can ask if you may be eligible for legal aid assistance and if they’re able to help you apply.
Choosing an experienced Criminal Lawyer
Choosing the right criminal defence lawyer can mean the difference between a favourable outcome and a harsh sentence with long term consequences.
Making the choice can be hard – especially if you have never had any experience with the criminal justice system. A good measure of the quality of a lawyer or law firm is how they are regarded by their peers – that is how other lawyers rate them.
Stary Norton Halphen are a Top Tier firm in the Doyles Guide – which is a guide published annually setting out how lawyers and law firms are rated within the jurisdiction. We have a huge amount of experience across the full range of criminal matters and are well regarded in the jurisdiction for the quality of our representation of accused people.
If you’ve been charged or questioned with regards to a criminal offence and need an experienced specialist criminal defence lawyer, contact the team at Stary Norton Halphen.
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.
