What to Look for When Retaining a Criminal Defense Attorney
When you need to retain a lawyer to defend you in a criminal case, you want to find the best criminal defense attorney you can. An experienced defense attorney will understand the complexities of criminal law and know how best to represent you. You’ll want to find someone you can trust with your freedom who is great at their job. Even if you don’t have time for thorough research, you should still check out a few possible attorneys and interview them. You can ask family, friends, and coworkers for recommendations or do an internet search. Finding a defense attorney who is right for you might seem overwhelming. Knowing what to look for and focusing on these key areas can help you decide if a lawyer is right for you and your criminal case.
A Lawyer with Experience Handling Your Type of Criminal Case
It’s important that you hire a good criminal defense lawyer who has experience handling criminal cases since the laws and procedures in criminal cases are different than those in civil cases. Extensive criminal defense experience with charges similar to yours is essential.
Types of Criminal Cases Handled by Defense Attorneys
Your criminal defense attorney provides legal representation through legal advice and experienced courtroom litigation in a wide range of criminal defense practice areas, including but not limited to:
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crimes against people
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crimes against property
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drug crimes
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DUI/DWI
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fraud including fraud against the government
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parole revocation
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probation violation
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property damage
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public intoxication
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theft crimes
Criminal Defense Attorneys with a Track Record of Success
A good criminal defense attorney will have a history of cases with successful, favorable outcomes in both negotiating plea agreements and taking cases to trial. All criminal cases are not resolved through plea bargains, and you’ll want a defense attorney who will take your case to trial when it is in your best interests.
A Local Defense Lawyer Experienced in Local Courts
Retaining a local attorney can be an advantage. A local attorney has built a reputation, connections, and relationships with the judges and prosecutors who might be involved in your case, which make it easier to handle cases. A lawyer experienced in the local court will know how it operates and what strategies can be used to win a case.
Criminal Defense Attorney with Trial Experience
It’s important to hire an attorney with extensive trial experience because, even though many criminal cases are settled with plea agreements, there’s a chance your case might go to trial. A criminal defense lawyer with aggressive and successful trial skills and exceptional negotiating skills won’t be afraid to take your case to trial when necessary.
A Good Criminal Lawyer is Communicative and Responsive
When your freedom is at risk, it’s important to have a good crime defense attorney who will communicate with you and is willing to explain things to you in a way that you understand at each stage of your case. Good communication with your attorney can help build confidence and trust.
Schedule a Consultation with a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Once you’ve identified one or more potential criminal defense lawyers, schedule an initial consultation with each one to discuss your criminal case. In the initial consultation, the defense attorney will ask numerous questions so they can learn as much as possible about the criminal charges against you. Take any documents you have that relate to the criminal charges to your initial consultation. The defense attorney can offer better legal advice when they have the most information possible about your criminal case.
Documents to Take to Your Consultation for Your Criminal Case
Any documents relating to your charges can better help the criminal defense attorney to understand your case and give you the best legal advice possible. Documents to take to your initial consultation might include:
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any evidence you might possess
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arrest documents
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bail or bond documents
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information regarding witnesses
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police reports
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property search report
If possible, organize your documents into separate labeled files before your initial consultation since this can make your consultation more efficient.
Interview Questions to Ask the Defense Attorney During the Initial Consultation
When you have an initial consultation with a criminal defense attorney, asking questions can help you decide if the attorney is the right one for you. Some questions to ask a criminal defense lawyer include:
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Do you belong to any professional organizations?
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Do you have any specializations?
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How long have you practiced criminal law?
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What percentage of your practice focuses on criminal defense?
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How many cases have you handled that are similar to my case?
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How many criminal cases have you taken to jury trial?
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What was the outcome of cases you have taken to jury trial?
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What is your success rate at trial?
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What attorney fees do you charge?
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What other costs are not included in your fees?
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Will anyone else be working on my case?
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Who do I contact if I have questions about my case? How quickly will I receive a response?
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What are my legal options for my criminal charges?
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What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
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What potential problems, if any, do you foresee with my case?
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Are there any factors in my favor? If so, what are they?
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Can you explain the worst-case scenario and the best-case scenario for my case?
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What would you say is the likely outcome of my case?
You might have other questions based on your circumstances. If you think of questions before the initial consultation, write them down or type them in a notes app to help you remember them. This also gives you a place to make notes or put the attorney’s answers.
How a Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Sometimes, people with criminal charges are tempted to represent themselves in court, but that choice often results in harsh consequences. A Texas criminal defense lawyer can minimize or eliminate those consequences and will also have access to helpful resources you might not have access to when you represent yourself. A good criminal defense attorney can help you with your criminal case by:
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analyzing your criminal case and developing a criminal defense strategy that gives you the best chance of beating the charges or avoiding jail time
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tirelessly and aggressively advocating for your best interests
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assisting you with understanding the Texas justice system
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giving you a truthful assessment of your case
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offering legal advice about the pros and cons of making a plea deal versus going to court
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identifying when your legal rights have been violated
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filing any motions and documents on your behalf that benefit your criminal case
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negotiating with the prosecutor for a fair plea agreement
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working to get you out of jail as soon as possible
Your Criminal Defense Attorneys Fight for You
Your criminal defense attorney is committed to the principle that everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. When you hire us, you can count on quality legal service driven by passionate defense strategies and a criminal defense attorney who fights for your best interests.
