If you are charged with a criminal offense, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a minor misdemeanor or a major crime, you’ll need a professional defense attorney’s help to avoid serious penalties. Like most people, until now you’ve probably never even thought about hiring an attorney so you’re not too familiar with the process of selecting the best Fairfax County Virginia Criminal Lawyer to represent you and your case.
The first thing you’ll notice when you start your search is that there are several defense attorneys able to handle all kinds of cases. Others work for large law firms that have huge commercials and are getting lots of publicity. While others work in smaller, more intimate firms which may have two or three practicing lawyers. First of all, you don’t want to judge a law firm purely by scale. There are just as many good lawyers attached to small firms as in big ones.
While you may feel a lot of pressure to hurry up and choose a lawyer to assist you in this time of crisis, it’s always best to slow down and take the time to do some homework first. Choosing a defense attorney will be one of the most important decisions you are going to make because that person will be responsible for seeing you through the legal system and its labyrinth of complicated laws and procedures.
Here are some tips for finding a good lawyer.
Look for a lawyer who practices in your field.
Lawyers live and work in their local community, and local prosecutors, judges and law enforcement are often well known. We may be community organization leaders and engage in local activities. In other words, they are comfortable in their surroundings and are well aware of their community. This is perfect for you as you want someone who lived in the Atlanta area and knows the players in the legal system.
Search for a lawyer who specializes in different areas of law.
You don’t make an appointment to see the eye doctor when you need to get dental work done that would be crazy. The same reasoning applies to prosecutors. There are many excellent lawyers who specialize in civil cases, but as a defense lawyer for criminal matters, they won’t be of much use to you. Hence, consider a defense attorney known to defend people who have faced similar charges to yours.
Seek an attorney who will make you feel comfortable.
The partnership between client and attorney is based on mutual confidence. When you meet a prospective lawyer, you should feel comfortable with how they talk to you and how they interact with you. Just because they represented a lot of customers, it doesn’t mean that they are the right choice for you. You want to know that your solicitor is willing to defend you vigorously against all allegations when you face the whole weight of the legal system. When they show no interest in you or your situation, it is an indication that they’re not going to launch much of a defense.
It is crucial that you find the right defense attorney who can serve your legal needs. If you follow the guidelines above, you’ll be in a better position to select the best legal representation.
