Things You Should Know When Choosing A Criminal Defense Attorney
Being accused of a crime can leave you feeling frightened and unsure—daunted by the possibility of severe penalties. The good news is that you don’t have to defend yourself all on your own. A criminal defense lawyer can help you make the best possible case for exoneration, avoiding or at least minimizing legal consequences. It’s important to note, however, that not all Austin criminal defense lawyers are created equal—so how do you choose the one that’s right for your case?
In this post, we’ll offer some brief tips for choosing a criminal defense attorney. To learn more, or to speak with us about the unique qualifications of Davis-Jones Law, connect with us directly at any time.
What to Know About Selecting the Best Criminal Defense Attorney
Here’s our advice for making a decision about your criminal defense lawyer.
1. Responsiveness is key.
When you’re faced with criminal charges, it’s vital to take action as quickly as possible—and any lost or wasted time could compromise your case. For this reason, it’s important to pick a criminal defense lawyer who’s responsive. Simply put, if you reach out to a law firm and don’t hear back for two or three days, it’s probably not the best firm for your needs.
2. Criminal defense law is an entity unto itself.
What we mean by this is simple: Criminal defense law is very different from other legal fields, and it comes with its own skillsets and disciplines. As you seek someone to represent your case, you really want someone who specializes in criminal defense law—not just someone who moonlights as a criminal defense attorney from time to time.
3. Local experience matters.
Something else that’s important is finding a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the local courthouses and the regional judges. You probably want to pick a local firm over a national firm, then.
4. Online research can pay off.
If you want to get a feel for the level of service a potential firm offers, Google can really be your friend. Look up some online reviews and see what previous clients have said about the firm in question.
5. You’ll want to ask for the right information.
When you connect with a law firm, you’ll want to obtain a few baseline pieces of information from them. First, confirm that they are indeed licensed by the state bar association. (You can ask for their license number and verify it with the bar if you wish.) Also, be sure you ask for references from previous clients. It’s reasonable to be a little skeptical of any lawyer who can’t furnish you with references of any kind.
6. A good attorney should know a lot, just off the top of their head.
Your lawyer doesn’t have to know everything, and it’s okay if they have to do a little research before answering some of your questions. Hopefully, though, your attorney will at least have a good grip on the basics—for example, the basic penalties for a potential criminal charge, etc.
7. Fee structures should be transparent.
A final note about choosing the best attorney: It’s your right to ask how much the defense is going to cost you and how/when you’ll pay it. Be skeptical of firms that can’t offer you a fairly clear, straightforward fee structure.
Connect with Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers
As you seek the best firm to represent your needs, we invite you to connect with Davis-Jones Law. An Austin-based practice, we have ample experience representing clients in a variety of criminal defense settings. In particular, we are a noteworthy domestic violence attorney, DUI lawyer, and sexual assault attorney. Reach out to us today with any questions or to get started on your case.