5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested, you typically have a short period of time to hire an attorney.  Finding the right attorney can make a big difference in your case. When hiring an attorney you want to understand things such as how they will be communicating with you through the process and what is their experience with this particular kind of case.

The best thing to do is to do your research, read reviews, and meet with them to review the facts of your case.   I recommend looking into the following areas:

1. EXPERIENCE

Look at what areas of law the attorney practices.  Are they a general practitioner or do they limit their practice to a set of particular area?  Also, what kind of experience do they have with your particular kind of case? Have they handled cases like that previously? What is their trial experience?  Get to know the attorney you are meeting with because each area of law is nuanced and you need to make an informed decision. Choosing the wrong attorney can cost you dearly in the end.  

2. PERSONAL CONNECTION

It is important to look for a personal connection with your attorney.  An attorney-client relationship is an important relationship and it is essential that you both trust each other.  Cases can often involve difficult conversations or the need to disclose trusted information. It can hurt your case if there is not trust in the relationship and the client does not disclose pertinent information at the start of their case.  Additionally, the more your attorney can know you, the more he or she can personalize your case for the judge and the prosecutor which can help improve results in the end.

3. COMMUNICATION

Communication is one of the areas that people complain about most with attorneys.  When you are meeting with an attorney, get to know what their communications preferences are and how frequently you should expect updates in the case.  We try to manage expectations in the first meeting by explaining the stages of your case as well as our communication goals. We also try to make ourselves available each day via phone, text, and email so we can quickly respond to your needs.

4. PROFESSIONALISM

As your advocate, your attorney will be representing you and your interests in Court.  Are you confident they will exude professionalism and polish in the way you want to be represented.  The way your attorney carries him or herself is important because they will be representing your interests in front of  the judge, the prosecutor and possibly even a jury.

5. GUARANTEES

Typically attorneys do not provide guarantees for any particular results.  You should be wary if an attorney is making promises about your case. This is especially important in a criminal case. The best thing an attorney can do is review your charging information and probable cause to discuss what legal issues they see in your case and talk about what their plan would be to address those issues.   If you schedule a consultation with Vining Legal, that is what we will do in our first meeting together.  

CHOOSE THE RIGHT ATTORNEY 

In the end, you need to make the right decision for yourself.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Criminal Defense can be challenging and you need to be confident that you are choosing the right attorney.