You would never ask a neurologist to help you get over the flu, nor would you ask your eye doctor to perform a knee replacement surgery. Attorneys are much the same, as many specialize in different fields of law, so the attorney you are looking for is probably not the one who helped your parents handle their will, or helped your friend after their car accident. These are civil attorneys, whereas you are looking for someone who specializes in criminal law.
It can be tough to know who to turn to when you find yourself in trouble, so here are a few ways to know if a criminal defense attorney is right for you.
Knows the Area
It is important for a defendant to try and hire an attorney who has experience in the courthouse or county where their case is pending. While most laws will be the same throughout the state, there is a good chance that the procedures can vary from courthouse to courthouse.
For example, defense attorneys in one county may know which prosecutors are likely to negotiate before a trial, and those which are more likely to plead right before trials. In most cases, it makes sense to choose attorneys who have experience with local procedures and local personnel.
Experience with the Crimes
A defendant should also look for an attorney who has successfully represented defendants who have been charged with the same or very similar offenses. Modern law is very complex, which is why so many lawyers find specialties in a given niche, but even within criminal law, you will find specialties in a variety of offenses.
You will find attorneys who specialize in drunk driving, another in drug-related offenses, and yet another in white collar crimes like tax fraud or embezzlement.
When trying to find the right criminal defense attorney for you, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask during the initial consultation about their experience with this particular type of case, and you should avoid any attorney who refuses to answer, or who only provides vague or unspecific responses.
Ask questions like how many cases like yours have they handled in the past few years or what percentage of their practice involves this type of case.
Confidence and Trust
Your lawyer will speak for you, so no matter how highly recommended or how many accolades a lawyer has, it is important that you feel personally comfortable with them. Communication and understanding is essential between the client and the attorney, and the best attorney-client relationships are those in which the clients are partners in the decision-making process.
During the initial consultation, you should ask yourself whether or not this attorney seems like someone who you will be able to work with and speak openly to, whether they explain things in a way that you understand, show concern for you as a person and show a desire to help, and are a person who instills trust in not only you, but also in prosecutors, judges, and possibly jurors.
Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is a decision that you shouldn’t take lightly, which is why it is crucial that you find the right fit for you. The legal team at Fears Nachawati has criminal defense attorneys who specialize in a wide range of criminal law and are based throughout the state of Texas. We are passionate about helping others navigate the complicated legal world and get the results they deserve.
For your free, no obligation legal consultation to discuss the specifics of your case and to see if we are the right criminal defense attorneys for you, please call (866) 705-7584, or visit the offices of Fears Nachawati located throughout the great state of Texas, including in Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.