Welcome to Lawyer\\'s Guide
Lawyer Article
Hiring a Criminal Lawyer
from: Criminal-Lawyer-Central.comThere are a number of situations in life when you have to decide
whether to hire a lawyer. For instance, if you're purchasing a
house or having trouble paying your bills, hiring a lawyer may
not be a necessity, but it's a good idea nonetheless. However,
if you've been charged with driving under the influence,
assault, or some other crime, hiring a criminal lawyer is
mandatory. You'll want to make sure that your legal rights are
protected throughout the entire judicial process.
But where do you begin, when you're hoping to hire a qualified
criminal lawyer? One of the best ways to find an effective
attorney is to consult with your family and friends. There is
nothing better than a personal recommendation, especially one
that comes from a person that is close to you. However, there
are times when it might be difficult to obtain a personal
referral. In those situations, you might consider consulting the
local bar association or an Internet site such as lawyers.com.
The Internet, in fact, can provide a wealth of information about
individual lawyers. For instance, you can find out about a
lawyer's level of expertise in criminal law, biographical
information, whether the lawyer is in good standing with the
bar, and other pertinent facts. In addition, online archives of
your local newspaper might include articles about cases that a
particular lawyer has tried. You'll want to hire a lawyer with
plenty of experience in the area of criminal law involved in
your case, whether it be traffic offenses, drug crimes, or white
collar crimes. The next step is contacting the lawyer's office.
If an attorney cannot meet with you on short notice, don't count
the lawyer out. Effective lawyers are quite busy, so, if a
lawyer is short on time, that may actually be a positive sign.
Pay close attention to how your call is handled by the lawyer's
staff. The staff should be courteous and be willing to answer
all of your questions.
You should be aware of the fact that criminal defense lawyers
tend to charge by the hour. As an alternative, they may charge a
flat fee up front. Generally speaking, rules of professional
conduct bar a lawyer from charging a contingency fee for a
criminal case. Since legal fees can vary, you might want to
engage in some comparison shopping. However, be advised that the
better lawyers tend to charge more for their services. Since
your freedom and reputation are at stake, you should invest in
the best lawyer you can afford.
Given the fact that criminal cases are often settled through
plea agreements with a district attorney's office, it can be
important for a criminal lawyer to be on good terms with the
D.A. Certainly, good relations between the two can only enhance
your case. Therefore, you'll want a lawyer who has fairly
regular contact with the prosecuting attorney in the county in
which your case resides. Also, it's a good idea if you hire a
lawyer who is affiliated with a group such as the National
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Such an association
shows that your lawyer wants to keep abreast of new developments
in the area of criminal law.
Prior to hiring a criminal lawyer, be sure to ask for
references. You'll want to know how clients view the attorney's
expertise. You should also obtain a copy of the law firm's
brochure, so you have a clear understanding of the outfit you're
dealing with. It is also vitally important that you obtain a
copy of the lawyer's retainer agreement so that you're aware of
any up-front costs involved in obtaining legal representation.
In the end, you'll want to select a lawyer that you're
comfortable with, one that truly understands your case and can
work well on your behalf. You'll find that an effective criminal
attorney is well worth his or her fee.
About the author:
Criminal-Lawyer-Central.com is a directory of criminal lawyers
across the United States. http://www.criminal-lawyer-central.com
 |
 |
Lawyer Specific links
Lawyer News
Lawyer: Iran stoning woman has been whipped - CNN
 Sydney Morning Herald | Lawyer: Iran stoning woman has been whipped CNN By the CNN Wire Staff (CNN) -- Contradictory reports swirled around an Iranian woman sentenced to be stoned to death for adultery, with one Iranian lawyer ... Iranian stoning-to-death woman 'lashed 99 times' for false picture published ... French minister pledges to help save Iranian woman Iran stoning lawyer reunited with family |
Edward M. Swartz, at 76; lawyer fought for toy safety - Boston Globe
 Boston Globe | Edward M. Swartz, at 76; lawyer fought for toy safety Boston Globe Boston lawyer Edward M. Swartz, a product safety advocate who garnered national headlines with his annual list of the 10 toys he deemed most ... |
It's lawyers, not teachers, who need purging in D.C. - Cape Cod Times
It's lawyers, not teachers, who need purging in D.C. Cape Cod Times Yet today one group dominates DC: lawyers. About 40 percent of the House, 60 percent of the Senate, and the entire Executive and Judicial branches are ... |
Boxers, Briefs and Books - New York Times
Boxers, Briefs and Books New York Times I WASN'T always a lawyer or a novelist, and I've had my share of hard, dead-end jobs. I earned my first steady paycheck watering rose bushes ... |
Law Review: Towns need to get tough with finances, bond lawyer says - Philadelphia Inquirer
Law Review: Towns need to get tough with finances, bond lawyer says Philadelphia Inquirer Bill Rhodes, a municipal-bond lawyer at Ballard Spahr LLP who has been laboring in the trenches of government finance for nearly two ... |