If you’ve been charged with a crime, it’s important to hire a criminal lawyer as soon as possible. Dealing with a criminal charge is a very serious matter and you want to have someone with knowledge and experience on your side. However, with all the different lawyers out there, how do you find the right one to handle your case? Just like with any other profession, there are good ones and there are not so good ones.
Here are a few signs that a criminal lawyer isn’t right for you.
Poor Responsiveness
When you’re dealing with something as serious as a criminal charge, you want to work with a criminal lawyer who communicates well and is easy to get a hold of. Good criminal lawyers make themselves available to their clients and make sure to return their messages within 24 hours. If your criminal lawyer takes days to get back to you or is often short with you, it may be time to find another lawyer.
Minimal Experience
Just because a lawyer has been practicing for many years, doesn’t mean he or she has a lot of experience with your specific case. For example, if you were charged with theft, you probably don’t want to hire a lawyer who has only handled DUI cases. Find out how many cases like yours a lawyer has handled before retaining him or her.
Makes Guarantees
While it would be nice if a criminal lawyer could promise a successful outcome in your case, it isn’t realistic. In fact, it’s unethical for a lawyer to do this. A reputable criminal lawyer will instead carefully explain the defenses available to you and the possible outcomes you may experience. If the lawyer you speak to guarantees that he or she will get your charges dismissed, go to someone else.
Wants You to Plead Guilty Early
Sometimes it makes more sense to accept a plea deal than go to trial. However, a good criminal lawyer should only advise you to accept a plea deal after exploring all your available options. If your lawyer is pressuring you to accept a plea bargain right away, he or she isn’t making a big enough effort for you.
Hiring a reputable white collar crime attorney in Oakland, CA is a crucial decision that can impact the outcome of your case. Do careful research to find the right lawyer for your case.
Thanks to Hallinan Law Firm for their insight into criminal law and signs your criminal isn’t right for you.