What are the ways that a criminal defendant can determine the quality of their defense attorney?
When the time comes to decide who to hire to defend your criminal case, there are a lot of factors to be taken into consideration. First, you want to find someone with experience in dealing with criminal legal circumstances like yours. Keep in mind that experience alone is not always a good indication of success. While we like to believe that experience is the gold standard for quality legal representation, it is not axiomatic that experience leads to success.
Beware of criminal defense lawyers who have been subject to discipline from state bars. If a criminal defense lawyer has been disciplined, it’s important to understand the circumstances of the disciplinary action. A history of disciplinary actions may mean that the criminal defense lawyer will not provide you with the most professional representation.
While some criminal cases go to a jury trial, many more are resolved through the plea negotiation process. Plea negotiations typically occur between the prosecutor and the defendant’s criminal attorney. Whether or not you obtain a favorable plea agreement may hinge on the experience level of your criminal defense attorney. In addition to their experience, you will also want to get a good picture of your prospective criminal lawyer’s negotiation skills. Successfully taking a case to trial and successfully negotiating a plea agreement require two significantly different skill sets.
How will your prospective criminal defense attorney communicate with you?
Does your criminal defense attorney or juvenile crime attorney just tell you what you want to hear?
Has your criminal attorney or juvenile attorney explained the risks and benefits of going to trial?
Has your criminal lawyer given you enough time to sufficiently understand the position of a prosecutor including all possible plea proposals and potential penalties for the crimes charged?
Have you discussed the details of how you will pay your defense attorney?
Have you and your defense lawyer discussed the specifics of your family situation including whether or not there are children/family members that rely on you for financial support?
When you are facing criminal charges, your freedom may hinge on the quality of legal representation that you receive. That is why hiring the right criminal defense lawyer for you becomes of such paramount importance. If nothing else, make sure you choose a criminal attorney who has experience representing clients in situations like yours. Second, make sure that you feel comfortable with the degree of communication you receive from your criminal defense attorney. You should not feel in the dark at any stage of the process. Remember, it’s you who is facing the charges and the potential penalties associated with whichever course of action you choose.
If you are facing criminal charges in the Pinellas or Dunedin area, discuss your options with an experienced Clearwater criminal defense attorney today.