A criminal conviction can bring about negative consequences that last the rest of your life. It can lead to prison time, separation from your friends and family, lost job opportunities, difficulty finding housing, and permanent damage to your reputation. Choosing the right lawyer for your criminal case is extremely important. In this post, we will explore the factors you should look at when retaining a criminal defense lawyer.
Location Matters
Laws and rules of procedure vary between cities, counties, and states. Hiring a local lawyer will give you access to a professional who has valuable experience with the legal codes and procedures in your specific jurisdiction. A local lawyer will have built up relationships with prosecutors, judges, and courtroom staff.
These relationships will provide an attorney with a better understanding of courtroom dynamics and the different strategies that prosecutors might use against you. Also, when you have an attorney who has his finger on the pulse of the local community, it can be very advantageous during jury selection.
A local lawyer will also provide you with convenience and accessibility. If you need to exchange documents, attend court appearances, or have face-to-face meetings, it’s much more convenient for your lawyer to be located nearby. Easier communication back and forth between an attorney and client often leads to a smoother defense.
One final thing to consider regarding location is the cost of your legal defense. If an attorney has to travel extensively from his office to the courthouse in order to represent you, the attorney is likely to charge more than others would for travel and other expenses. Hiring a local attorney can help you save money on travel costs.
Years of Experience
There’s no substitute when it comes to a lawyer’s years of experience. Just as a pro basketball player will have advanced skills over a rookie, an attorney with years of experience in the courtroom will have advantages that you will not find in a lawyer fresh out of law school.
A defense attorney with years of experience will have handled a wide range of cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Those years of experience will give him a deeper understanding of how the courtroom works and of the legal authority that can impact your case. A seasoned attorney will also be more confident and competent in the courtroom. Their experience interacting with judges, prosecutors, and juries will definitely work to your advantage.
Experience also gives an attorney better negotiation and problem-solving skills. He will be more likely to be able to gain a reduced sentence or a favorable plea deal on your behalf. Years of experience will also give him more practice developing creative solutions if an unexpected problem arises in your case.
Type of Legal Experience
Most lawyers advertise their services to let potential clients know what types of cases they regularly handle. Even among defense attorneys, there are different types of experience in dealing with criminal law. If you’ve been charged with a domestic violence crime or a DUI, for example, you would want an attorney who has prior experience handling those types of cases.
An attorney who has previously handled cases that are similar to yours will have a deeper knowledge of the relevant laws and potential strategies for representing you. He will also be familiar with local court procedures, judges, and prosecutors in cases relevant to yours. A lawyer with experience handling a case like yours will provide strategic advantages in the legal process and lead to a better outcome in your case.
Fee Structure – Flat Rate vs. Hourly
The cost of legal services can be a major factor when selecting an attorney. There are two primary types of fee structures to know about when selecting a defense attorney: flat fee agreements and hourly fee agreements.
With flat-rate billing, you know the full cost of your legal defense up front. Defense attorneys using a flat rate structure will explain exactly what services are included in the fee. If the case becomes more complicated, or there’s extra work beyond the scope of the initial agreement, additional costs may be contemplated. A flat rate fee can be a good option for a person who is facing a straightforward, low-level type of charge.
With an hourly fee structure, you are billed for the time the attorney spends working on your behalf. An hourly fee agreement may be more appropriate for complex, high-stakes representation. For example, a more complex case might require extensive legal research, court appearances, trial proceedings, and might also include testimony from expert witnesses. Clients will receive detailed invoices for hourly billing, which will provide transparency to the client.
Your budget constraints and the complexity of your case will most likely factor into your choice of an attorney.
Style
A defense attorney’s style can have a big impact on your experience as a client. If you’ve been charged with a crime, you are likely going through one of the most stressful experiences in your lifetime. You don’t want an attorney who treats you like “just another client” in that situation.
The best defense attorneys are sympathetic to the situation that a client is in. This doesn’t mean that a lawyer is ineffective. The best attorneys know when to give their clients an aggressive defense in the courtroom, or, in the alternative, when to be more diplomatic. It means that the attorney understands what you are going through and wants to provide you with the best possible defense and deliver the best possible outcome. Great defense attorneys understand that every client is entitled to a fair trial and a vigorous defense.
Your defense attorney’s communication style is also important. Most people don’t have a legal background, so the complexities of the legal system can cause them undue stress when they’re facing charges. The best attorneys can take complex legal concepts and explain them in plain, easy-to-understand terms.
Availability
Another factor to consider when choosing a lawyer for your criminal case is the lawyer’s availability. If you have questions or concerns about your case, will the lawyer be able to get back in touch with you in a timely fashion? Does the lawyer provide you with the means to communicate quickly and efficiently with them, whether by text message, phone, or email?
Some attorneys take on too many cases and are not able to effectively give individualized attention to each of their clients. This lack of attention could very likely compromise the quality of your representation. Don’t be afraid to ask an attorney about his caseload and his ability to prioritize you as a client prior to signing an agreement for legal representation.
Call Sheehan Law Today to Discuss Your Case
Michael Sheehan has been practicing criminal defense in Colorado for over twenty years. His practice places special emphasis on the defense of clients in domestic violence, sex assault, and DUI cases. Mr. Sheehan’s office is conveniently located in the Denver Tech Center. Call Mr. Sheehan today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal matter.