Information For Hiring a Criminal Lawyer
Are you in need of hiring a criminal lawyer in the state of California? Do you know what questions you should ask a potential criminal lawyer before you hire him/her? Where do you find the best lawyer to defend you? These are all very good and important questions you need to be asking if you are facing criminal charges in the state of California.
The first thing you will want to do when you are in need of a lawyer is remember your US Constitutional Rights. Under the US Constitution, the Fifth Amendment states “nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law”. What this means is that you have the right to remain silent. You should only talk to law enforcement agents after you have spoken to a qualified criminal lawyer. By remaining silent until you speak with a qualified lawyer, you will help ensure that your criminal lawyer will be able to effectively protect your rights as well as possibly being able to help in reducing your sentence or fine.
The second thing to consider when hiring a lawyer is where to find the best one for you. You may want to start by visiting the courthouse and watching some of the criminal lawyers in action. If any case is similar to yours, pay close attention to the results and determine if that outcome is suitable for you. You may also check with law associations and find out who are members of that association and practice criminal law in the jurisdiction your criminal charges are pending.
The third thing to consider when hiring a lawyer is meeting with several of them prior to hiring one. Finding a good criminal lawyer can be difficult, but by visiting a few lawyers and asking them questions, you will be able to make a much better decision on whom to hire to represent you in court. There are several things you need to take into consideration when hiring a lawyer, such as their experience in cases similar to yours, does this lawyer belong to any law associations, and does the lawyer practice in the jurisdiction where you charges are pending? Also, make sure to find out if the criminal lawyer offers free initial consultation.
Once you have decided on a couple potential lawyers, ask them questions to narrow your decision down to the right one for you case. Here are a few questions you should consider asking:
How long as the lawyer been practicing criminal law in the state of California?
Do any of the lawyer’s past clients have positives things to say about the lawyer?
Will the lawyer fight aggressively for you in regards to the criminal charges you are facing?
Does the lawyer charge a flat rate or does it vary based on the direction of the case (will there be additional charges if the case goes to trail)?
Does the lawyer have the time and staff needed to fully represent you in this criminal case?
Having to hire a criminal lawyer can be one of the most difficult decisions someone has to make. Without conducting some research on whom would provide the best legal representation for you could result in a less favorable outcome. However, by asking the questions mentioned above, you should be able to find a criminal lawyer that will represent you fully and aggressively in court.
