It is cumbersome and complicated to navigate the California criminal justice system, especially when you are accused of committing a crime. If you don’t have law knowledge, you may not know the steps you need to represent yourself in court. Seeking legal guidance is a crucial step when dealing with the justice system.
Having legal representation goes far beyond advocating for your interests in the courtroom. You want to ensure that your attorney is a person who can walk you through the entire and complicated legal process. Your choice of a defense attorney could make a difference between serving time in prison and having your charges dismissed. Selecting the right defense attorney is crucial in protecting your rights and ensuring a positive outcome in your criminal case. Following are some qualities you need to look out for in a defense attorney:
Many Years of Experience
The amount of experience a lawyer has is one of the most crucial aspects you need to look out for when hiring a defense attorney. Every lawyer begins as a new lawyer with education and credentials but lacking experience. With every case that an attorney handles, they gain more experience in their practice area. Most new lawyers often handle minor court cases, and with more experience, they can handle more complex cases. When handling your case, an experienced defense lawyer is likely to make fewer mistakes and knows the possible angles to approach your case and ensure the best outcome.
Experience allows an attorney to acquire skills that they did not gain in school, including:
- Picking a suitable jury for the case.
- Cross-examining witnesses.
- Finding fault and casting doubts in prosecutors’ evidence and witness testimonies.
- Persuading the judge to rule in your favor, including lowering or dismissing your charges.
- Making a compelling argument in court and to the jury at trial.
Additionally, your prospective attorney's certifications could speak volumes of their knowledge based on your case. For example, some lawyers have certificates in litigation, criminal law, among others that indicate their specialties. If you have a minor case, any competent attorney could handle it. However, if you have a severe case with possible life-changing consequences, it is wise to find a lawyer with extensive experience.
Specialization in the Criminal Charges You are Fighting
Finding the right defense to guide you through a legal matter is not easy. The attorney who helps you recover compensation in a personal injury attorney may not be necessarily suitable in helping you fight murder charges. Some lawyers may do a little of everything when matters are not urgent. If your case is severe, you may need to contact a lawyer who limits their practice to a specific direction.
A specialized lawyer in a specific field of expertise has the knowledge and skills that general practice lawyers may not possess. Some of the specializations may include Domestic crimes, theft crimes, DUI, among others. It is essential to hire an attorney who regularly defends individuals facing the kind of criminal charges you face. This will help you be more comfortable with the possible outcome of your case.
If you are eligible, the court could grant you a public defender. Even though these defenders have more experience in different matters, they may not be as good as a private attorney whose specialization lies in one defense field. Therefore, whether you accept a court-appointed attorney or hire a private legal representative, you should consider the concentration of the attorney.
Positive Reviews from Legal Websites
An easy way to check if a defense attorney is worthy of representing you is by checking reviews. Most legal websites have customer reviews displayed on the front page, but these are often positive reviews. You can have a good idea of the services provided by a particular lawyer or law firm by checking more common reviews from sites such as Google. Lawyers do not control the source of reviews put on some of these websites. Therefore, it is likely that you will receive an honest opinion.
A reasonable attorney is one whose reviews fit what you are looking for as a defense in your case. It is essential to remember some of the high rates may be skewed. Therefore, you should consider the attorneys with four-star and three-star ratings. However, it is crucial to understand that there is no guarantee that a particular lawyer will give you your desired result.
Attorney’s Integrity
Most people have a perception that lawyers are often shady and dishonest. Even though some lawyers fit the stereotype, most lawyers are hardworking and dedicated to their jobs. Having a legal representative whose practice is governed by strong moral principles is essential when hiring a defense lawyer. A defense lawyer is supposed to defend your rights in the case and make favorable decisions for you.
A good lawyer might be aggressive and tough in negotiations, but they should always work towards the outcome you need for your case. A good lawyer will be honest in their dealings since your reviews could help them acquire other clients.
Aggressive When Fighting for Your Rights
When formulating and presenting a legal defense before the judge, aggressiveness is necessary. When used at the right time, being aggressive can make a difference in the outcome of your case. A good defense attorney should be aggressive in gathering relevant information and presenting it to ensure the best outcome for you.
Affordable Attorney Services
Hiring an expensive lawyer does not always guarantee the success of your defense in the case. However, you need to hire a competent defense attorney whose fee does not exceed your budget. Often criminal cases come as a surprise. Therefore, the funds to cater for a defense attorney are not always anticipated. When hiring a defense attorney, it is vital to learn how the fees work. If a lawyer quotes an amount too low, it would be wise to acquire more information about their qualifications and experience.
Since the cost of private defense varies, it is best to understand the factors that affect the price. Most attorneys charge for their services based on factors such as their experience, case complexity, and the nature of your charges, among other factors. Some lawyers will not explain how they calculate the legal fees for their services. Therefore, you may end up paying more than you agreed.
You can contact several attorneys and compare prices before settling with one. Before hiring a defense attorney, ensure a written agreement spells out the terms of the contract and indicates the costs of defense services. This will ensure that you do not pay extra.
Good Communication Skills
Clients often spend a significant amount of time with their lawyers. If your case goes to trial, you may spend many hours with your lawyer preparing for the case. You would not want to spend your time with someone who does not listen to you. Clients and lawyers need to communicate with their defense attorneys for a successful case. A good lawyer will want to understand your side of the events and know the outcome you expect for the case.
Telling your side of the story is crucial in evaluating your case. A reasonable attorney will ask you to put your facts together and explain in detail the events that led to your arrest and the alleged charges. Your attorney will need to learn about your social background, which can be a key in defending your case. Open communication with your lawyer helps them to build a strong defense based on the facts of your life and the case.
Your attorney should always inform you of the progress in your case. If there are motions they want to present in the pretrial phase, they must consult you and explain the importance of each step they take in the case. Respect, understanding are all part of good communication, and these traits should develop between you and your lawyer. Also, your lawyer should effectively communicate with other lawyers and prosecutors in negotiating the terms and conditions relating to your case.
Before you hire a defense lawyer, you should interview a few and decide if they have desired communication skills. When you call an attorney or a law firm for the first time, they need to give you the contacts and email the lawyer who will be handling your case. This helps ensure that you can easily communicate with them when you need it.
Attorney’s Reputation
Lawyers are judged by their clients, their peers, and the judges. Over a long period of practice, a lawyer is likely to develop a reputation. If they have the time to handle your case, lawyers with a reputation for excellence would be the best choice for a competent defense. You can learn about an attorney's reputation by seeking referrals from friends who have been in a similar situation. If your friends are happy with the representation from the particular attorney, you can schedule an appointment to chat with the attorney about your case.
If you have dealt with an attorney for a different legal battle, you can ask them to refer you to a good defense attorney. The reputation of your attorney helps you keep your mind at ease, knowing that your situation is in the hands of an experienced individual.
Attorney’s Analytical Skills
A good defense lawyer should use their analytical skills to review your situation and develop the best course of action. Different lawyers may have different approaches in a case. Therefore, your choice of a lawyer could be significant in determining the fate of your case. Your lawyer must have the skills to analyze your situation from every angle. Also, they need to absorb all information provided to build a strong defense and ensure a favorable outcome in your case.
Often there are several approaches that your case could take. Some cases are dismissed after your attorney presents favorable pretrial motions. Some cases go to trial and are dismissed for lack of substantial evidence. Sometimes, you may need to accept a plea deal to avoid severe penalties. A competent attorney must review the facts of your case and advise you on the best approach to take for the case.
Skills in Dealing with People
Most lawyers have the knowledge and education required to defend a case. However, convincing a judge of your position requires an attorney with people skills. A good lawyer needs to be persuasive and personable with all the people involved in the case. In most criminal cases, your lawyer will work to create doubt in the evidence presented by the prosecutor against you.
Therefore, a lawyer with the right skills to deal with people can tactfully interview the witnesses and dispute all evidence presented against you. Knowing what you need from your attorney will ensure that you have the right person working on your defense.
Proper Research Skills
Criminal cases require extensive research and time. You do not need an attorney who will walk into the courtroom and use the general defenses. Since each case is different, you should look for an attorney with competent research skills. This will help ensure that every aspect of your case is considered and all avenues are explored.
Ability to Critically Judge Situations
The ability to come up with reasonable and logical conclusions from limited information is crucial in a defense attorney. Your defense attorney must consider arguments critically and anticipate the potential areas of weakens and formulate a defense from these weaknesses. Often a strong defense could arise from a simple statement made by the prosecution. A competent lawyer can critically judge the little information provided in court to develop a reasonable defense for your case.
Approachability of the Attorney
It would help if you considered how easy it is to reach a lawyer when you call their office for the first time. The response you received to your questions can also help you gauge your defense lawyer's approachability. It may not be a good sign if you call a defense attorney and you receive an automated message requiring you to leave a message. Most situations that need a defense lawyer are often sensitive and urgent. You will want to speak to a live person and express your concern.
A good lawyer will carefully listen to your story and understand the situation at hand. The first impression you receive when you contact a potential defense attorney is always an indication of things to come. Facing criminal charges can be stressful and scary, especially when you imagine the potential consequences. Understanding and empathetic defense lawyer can help ease the emotional stress associated with these situations.
When hiring a lawyer, you need to check out if they are concerned about your welfare and family. They should also be conscious of minimizing the exposure of your case to third parties.
Knowledge and Connections in Local Courts
In every city and state, the legal community has a distinct structure. Attorneys know prosecutors, and every legal personnel knows presiding judges. If you are looking to hire a defense attorney in California, it makes sense that you want an established lawyer. Lawyers with connections and knowledge of the local court can persuade the prosecutor and judges to offer you favorable deals and outcomes of your case.
High Level of Confidentiality
Matters surrounding criminal cases and other legal situations are often sensitive. An arrest could trigger stigma from society and affect your social and professional life. A good attorney should be able to keep all details of your case confidential to help avoid too much insight from other parties. Some elements of a case you share with your attorney could be incriminating. Therefore confidentiality in these issues is critical.
Personal Qualities
After considering several attorneys and the crucial factors that go into ensuring the best-case outcome, you can choose a lawyer with the personal qualities of your liking. The characteristics you seek in a defense attorney may be specific to you. Therefore, you can select a legal representative you feel comfortable working with. You can decide to hire an attorney from a small or large firm. You can also choose to go for an attorney who works alone or a group of attorneys in a law firm. Determining whether a potential attorney has the qualities you hope to find, you can carry out several interviews and make the choice that suits your needs.
Find a Criminal Defense Attorney Near Me
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer is essential when facing charges. Choosing a good lawyer is like choosing any product or service in the market. Your choice of a defense attorney can make a difference in your situation. It is best to research thoroughly to make an informed decision. If you or your loved one faces criminal charges, contact a competent lawyer. At Leah Legal, we offer competent legal guidance and representation in your criminal case. We serve clients facing charges in Van Nuys, CA. Call us today at 818-484-1100 to discuss the details of your case.