It’s never easy, bearing the weight of a criminal case, and its implications. This, along with the distress it will inflict not only on yourself but on your loved ones, and how your life will be on a standstill following your arrest, will be a lot to deal with.
For these reasons, the Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorneys have come up with a guide to help you through this difficulty. Here are the basics you need to be aware of when searching for the right criminal defence lawyer to represent you and your case.
Finding A Suitable Criminal Defense Attorney
1. Criminal Law Specialization
The exclusive practice of criminal law doesn’t have to be a must in your criteria for a defence attorney. However, it’s advantageous to be in the aid of someone who specializes in it. This is because you will rely solely on their knowledge of and experiences in handling such cases.
Remember that law, or the practice of it, is exactly that— experts in this field need to be “practised” in order to gain significant skill and expertise. It’s also an assurance for you that they are regularly and continuously brought up to date with newer versions of any statute and/ or amendment made to criminal law as a whole, and everything else it encompasses.
2. Track Record
Aside from a criminal law specialization, what has been the rate of legal case wins they’ve acquired? It’s not enough that the firm’s lawyers are qualified handling criminal cases, are well-versed in local court proceedings, and have what’s called “courtroom confidence.” Above these stands the make or break of whether or not they’ve had cases that have won.
Legal victories or courtroom winnings are an easy qualifier to gauge the level of competence a firm and its attorneys maintain. Then again, criminal cases are arduous to handle. They cannot be guaranteed a favourable outcome 100% of the time. Be wary of those who will promise you with a win at the onset. This motion is, to be straightforward, unethical.
Having said that, a glimpse of their track record is still a wise means for you to assess their competency.
3. Responsiveness And Communication
Criminal cases are very complicated, hence, require close attention. If the law firm you have in mind is one that’s made name for itself through the years and now handles numerous cases, the tendency is for them to not be too communicative and/or responsive towards the “little fish”.
That’s not to say that every notable firm has the same approach towards communicating with their individual clients. Try to have a sensing of this in your first 2 to 3 encounters with them. Have they given you their windows as to when you can contact them the best? Do they have legal assistants who will entertain you in the event that their lawyers are busy? Have they been persistent in following up on you?
4. Pricing And Fees
It’s but necessarily practical to take this factor into consideration. At the end of the day, your hunt for the right legal firm will redound to their fees, and if you will be able to financially commit to them until their terms of service with you ends.
One way to figure out if they’re pricing their services fairly is through a simple comparison. Have a shortlist of firms you’re eyeing and make a pricing inquiry with each one.
