Have you been charged with a crime? You’re going to need someone to help you prove your innocence or at least assist you with getting a lighter sentence.
That’s where having a defense attorney comes in handy. They can examine all the evidence at the scene and plead your case based on what they find or don’t find in some cases.
The problem is finding the right person for the job. We’ve got some prime criminal defense lawyer information that can help you out with that.
Check out this guide to learn more about what defense lawyers are and how you can hire one that will help you out of the trouble you’ve found yourself in.
What Is a Criminal Defense Attorney?
The basic definition of a criminal attorney is that they’re anyone who specializes in pleading a case for individuals and businesses that are involved with crime.
They know the ins and outs of the justice system where you may not. Getting questioned by police officers and persecutors can be more than a little bit stressful. Fortunately, it’s something that defense attorneys handle pretty much every day of the week.
What Do They Do?
Taking care of questions and answering to angry persecutors is only the bare bones of what a defense attorney does. When you hire one to take on your case, they’ll set to work to tackle a ton of different tasks.
Provide Guidance to the Defendant
There are many ways that your case can go. It’s the job of the criminal defense attorney to list out your options and help you pick the right solution for your situation.
Sometimes this can involve talking with the prosecutor to determine if you have a proper plea. If you don’t, the lawyer will have to figure out where to go from there.
Perform an Investigation
Many cases aren’t exactly cut and dry. There are a million circumstances. It’s the job of the lawyer to investigate all the evidence concerning your case.
They’ll bring in witncrimiesses, call another person to run an investigation, take pictures of the crime scene, anything and everything that can help prove you’re not guilty.
Act as Defense
If you can’t get a plea deal, your case is most likely going to go to court. When that happens, it will be up to your lawyer to make a good argument for you in front of the judge and jury.
Appeal Decisions
Sometimes not even the best argument can save you from getting hit with a sentence. The good news is that if your attorney doesn’t find the ruling fair or they discover new evidence, they can appeal the decision.
How to Hire One?
Now that you know a little more about what a criminal lawyer can do for you, it’s time to find one. Here are a few things that you should be on the lookout for.
Check Their Experience
You may be able to get some good results by going to a newer attorney, but it’s not something that you should bank on. If things go south, it could cause you to face jail time. You need someone you can trust to take care of you.
That’s why it’s important to always do a background check on a lawyer’s experience. Ask them how many years they’ve been in business.
The longer they’ve been around, the more likely it is that they’ve worked on a case like yours before. During the consultation, you can tell them about your case in great detail. During this time, don’t be afraid to actually ask them how many similar cases they’ve worked on.
Look For Referrals
If you have a friend or family member that’s been in your shoes before, ask them what attorney they used. They should be able to list off a few names and give you a good idea of how they’ll handle your case.
Of course, you shouldn’t just take their word at face value. It’s a good idea to do your own research on the attorneys they mention. Look up reviews on Google.
Consider Their Responsiveness
When you email a lawyer, they should get back to you the same day. Similarly, if you call them and leave a voice message, they should call you back right away.
Any lawyer that takes a week or more to respond isn’t worth your time and effort. Move on to the next attorney on your list. Find someone who can arrange a meeting with you the same day you contact them.
Ask About Their Specialization
A law firm may advertise that they are a criminal defense company, but that doesn’t mean they specialize in it. They could be a general-purpose firm that has some knowledge regarding criminal defense.
That’s not going to help you too much when you need an expert on your side. Again, when you meet up with an attorney, don’t be afraid to ask them how much experience they have with cases like yours.
Useful Criminal Defense Lawyer Information for You to Consider
Getting arrested is one of the most stressful things you can go through. You need a criminal defense lawyer who can help take some of the pressure off.
They should have in-depth experience working on cases like yours. If they don’t, they’ll have a hard time gathering the evidence they need to plead your case.
We hope that you’re able to use this criminal defense lawyer information to find the right attorney for the job. For more tips that will help you navigate your way around the law world, feel free to explore the rest of our blog.