By: Timothy Nies
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Individuals charged with criminal offense have many options to choose from when it comes to defending themselves against the charges. The first thing to do when you face a criminal charge is to get a competent and experienced criminal defense attorney. When you choose a criminal defense lawyer, here are the things you should keep in mind:
First, you need to look into the experience of the lawyer. When you face criminal charges, what you need is to get a lawyer that is well versed in criminal defense and one who knows what he or she is doing. Check whether the lawyer has won several cases similar to yours. Get one that has very specific experience in terms of handling criminal defense cases or cases related to yours.
Second, consider the education garnered by the lawyer. What you need is an attorney that has hurdled all the necessary exams for a lawyer. He should have passed the bar exam in order for him to practice criminal defense law. Always check the credentials of the lawyer. You can check this with the local lawyers’ association. Ask whether the lawyer graduated from an accredited law school and whether he passed the bar.
Third, looking into testimonials of other people about the lawyer is a good way to check whether he is competent or not. Do this by visiting other websites other than the website of the law firm he works for. Scour the web and look for reviews of former clients. Do not be surprised when you see unfavorable reviews of a particular criminal defense lawyer.
Fourth, look into the flexibility of the lawyer. The lawyer of your choice should meet your needs. We know for a fact that lawyers are busy. However, a criminal defense attorney should be able to make time for and work with you. A lawyer who can chat or meet with you beyond normal business hours is what you need. Get one who can meet you up elsewhere other than his office.
Fifth, when you choose a lawyer, get one who has the patience to understand your fear and problem. This is especially important for first timers. When you have been in trouble with the law, you might find yourself scared and nervous. On this note, you need a patient lawyer that can help ease the burden of the charges that you face.
Consider these things and you won’t have a hard day at court today!
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