What To Look For In a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
When it comes to what to look for in a criminal defense lawyer, there are a lot of things to consider.
Because criminal defense cases can look drastically different depending on a whole host of factors, it’s important to hire a criminal defense lawyer that has experience in a number of different facets of criminal cases.
A list of common criminal charges include:
- Assault and battery
- DUI/DWI/OWI
- Domestic abuse
- Kidnapping
- Shoplifting
- Arson
- Burglary
- Child abuse
- Underage DUI
- Rape and statutory rape
- Refusal to perform a field sobriety test
As you can see, criminal charges can vary dramatically in severity and penalty. Depending on the level of charge, you will require a criminal defense attorney with expertise in one of these different facets of criminal law.
To get in touch with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, contact Leyba Defense today.
How To Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer
What are tips for how to find a good criminal defense lawyer?
Here are four practical tips for how to choose a criminal defense lawyer/what to look for in a criminal defense lawyer.
- Find a lawyer that is local to your area. The law often changes from state to state and county to county, so you need someone who is fluent in local criminal laws.
- Partner with an attorney that you feel comfortable communicating with and who helps you understand “legalese.” Don’t choose an attorney that you have trouble understanding or talking with.
- Before choosing your criminal defense lawyer, ensure you see them face-to-face for an initial consultation to see if you two are compatible.
- Choose a lawyer who is confident in your case and who has presented you with a satisfactory action plan for moving forward with your case.
Traits of a Good Criminal Defense Lawyer
Representation by a competent defense attorney is a necessity if you’re charged with a criminal offense. But do you know what to look for in a criminal defense lawyer? Finding the right attorney can be the difference between acquittal or incarceration.
You can ill afford to make the wrong decisions when enlisting a criminal lawyer. We will show you how to find a knowledgeable defense attorney.
Civil vs. Criminal Lawyer
When you find a criminal defense lawyer, their service is unlikely to be similar to those of your everyday civil lawyer.
Your legal needs will influence the type of attorney you hire. Always go for a criminal defense lawyer whenever you face criminal charges. Civil attorneys may not offer adequate defense in such cases.
Federal vs. State Lawyer
Before you find a criminal defense attorney, you should understand the difference between state and federal offenses. If you broke criminal laws from a particular state, a sound option is to look for a state defense attorney.
When faced with a federal case, a federal criminal attorney is well-positioned to defend you.
Local Connection
Consider the attorney’s experience in a specific court. Cases may be handled differently from one courthouse to the other, even within the same state.
Local defense attorneys will be familiar with their district court’s procedures and personnel. Don’t mistake this for an “inside advantage,” however. Instead, treat it as important practicality.
Experience with Similar Cases
The lawyer’s experience in dealing with your offense is also vital. Keep in mind, however, that every case is different.
When hiring, enquire whether the attorney has handled similar cases to the one you’re facing. An attorney well versed with your case is likely to defend you much more effectively.
Responsiveness
Finding a good criminal defense lawyer entails gauging the lawyer’s responsiveness. If they don’t respond promptly from the start, they probably won’t after being hired.
Criminal attorneys can be busy, but failure to inform defendants of case details is unacceptable. A good defense lawyer is supposed to:
- Honor appointments
- Reply to emails
- Be available via phone
- Update the defendant regularly
Lawyer’s Reputation
When hiring a defense lawyer, you need to determine whether they claim to be what they are. A good starting point is reviewing their online profiles. Check whether the lawyer has an online presence and what the online community says about their services.
Review sites like Avvo.com display important information on defense lawyers. You can also examine state bars to find crucial information.
Well Versed in Basics
Don’t neglect to determine the lawyer’s knowledge in basic criminal matters. If the attorney is unwilling (or unable) to answer your questions, then look elsewhere. Any competent attorney will have a familiarity with how criminal cases proceed, court penalties, and possible defense routes.
How To Find a Criminal Defense Attorney
Here at Leyba Defense, Matthew Leyba offers first-time clients a free initial consultation of 30-minutes. If you would like to see if Leyba Defense is the right criminal defense law firm for your case, get in touch to schedule your free consultation.
Matthew Leyba is passionate about justice and helping his clients fight criminal charges. He has more than a decade of experience working in criminal law and has handled cases in a variety of different fields within criminal law.
Get in touch with Leyba Defense to begin working with a skilled criminal defense lawyer today.