When you’re facing criminal charges, you need an attorney as fast as possible. If you’re allowed to work with a state-appointed attorney, and you don’t have any other choice, that’s fine.
However, if you’re looking for an experienced criminal defense attorney, you must choose wisely. There are plenty of great attorneys out there, but if you can get an attorney who was once a senior prosecutor, you’ll be in good hands.
Here are some tips for finding the right lawyer.
1. Gather a Handful of Options First
The more options you have to choose from, the better. Finding the right attorney when you’re using the internet to find options will be a process of elimination. First, run some searches to find local options. You might try searching for “[offense] lawyer near me” or [offense] attorney in [city or county].”
Once you get some search results, click through to each attorney’s website and keep their websites open in your browser for now. You don’t need to go past the second page of search results right away, so just gather between 10-15 options. This is the list you’ll be working with when you follow the rest of these tips.
2. Verify That Your Options Specialize in What You Need
The next thing you’ll want to do is look at each lawyer’s website to verify that they take cases like yours. It’s even better when you find an attorney who specializes in the practice area related to your case.
For example, if you’re facing drug charges, make sure the attorneys you’re considering work with drug crimes. Even after searching for a lawyer who works with your specific offense, the results might not be accurate. Search engines aren’t perfect and they sometimes provide irrelevant results.
Once you eliminate the options that don’t work with your charges, look for a phone number on each website. Then write down each law firm’s name, number, and website URL. You’ll be using this list to start the next phase in the process of elimination.
3. Call the Attorneys on Your List
Once you have a list of potential lawyers who handle cases like yours, it’s time to start making some phone calls. By talking to possible attorneys, you’ll be able to tell if they have good communication skills, the ability to listen, and knowledge of the law. They’ll also ask for the details concerning your case so they can determine whether or not they want to take your case.
Most attorneys will provide free consultations, so you don’t have to worry about spending money just trying to find a good match. If an attorney is willing to take your case, you may want to consider sleeping on it for at least the night if you have several options to choose from.
You don’t want to wait too long, but giving yourself until the next morning to make your decision can ensure you have a clear mind when you choose your attorney.
4. Look Up Reviews on Google and Other Platforms
Anyone can publish anything on their website, but client reviews posted to Google and other review sites can give you a more accurate, trustworthy picture of the attorneys you’re considering. Before making your decision, search for reviews from past clients to see what they have to say about the lawyer.
Keep in mind that sometimes people get upset when their case doesn’t go the way they want, but it wasn’t their lawyer’s fault. In some circumstances, the best that can happen is getting a reduced sentence. So take negative, angry reviews with a grain of salt.
On the other hand, if you see a lot of negative reviews for an attorney who people say doesn’t seem to care, won’t listen, or doesn’t seem knowledgeable of the law, that’s a huge red flag. Ultimately, a good attorney will have a large number of positive reviews that prove they can win difficult cases, but not everyone will be happy with the outcome of their case.
5. Ask Plenty of Questions
As a final piece of advice, ask questions when you talk to potential attorneys on the phone. If you have any specific concerns about your situation, take the opportunity to ask during your consultation. A good attorney will take the time to help you understand what to expect in court, and they’ll make you feel comfortable about their knowledge of the law.
