A bail bondsman’s job is to release the defendant from custody and ensure that they appear in court. On the other hand an Attorneys job is to navigate the defendant those the complicated legal system ensure that they have the best possible legal outcome. The prospect of hiring a professional that will play a significant role in your fate can be daunting. However do not get discouraged because there are many qualified attorneys out there. Here are some suggestions and tips to follow when considering a criminal defense attorney.
Referrals are a great way to find a successful criminal attorney, especially if the referral is coming from someone you trust. For example, if you regularly work with a lawyer or law firm, that lawyer may be able to suggest a competent criminal defense lawyer in your area.
Courtroom Observation may also be a good way to scope out an attorney. Observing attorneys while criminal cases are being argued in a courtroom provides the public a firsthand opportunity to see how some attorneys perform.
There are also a number of online directories, for example; Lawyers.com and FindLaw, which you can use as a good resource for obtaining information on criminal defense lawyers in your area. Additionally, on January 1, 2011 an online database will be available to you on the Connecticut Judicial Website where you will be able to locate by attorney name any and all grievances filed against that specific person. Here you will find answers to many unanswered questions you may or may not have, such as Rules of Professional Conduct, What happens after a complaint is filed against an attorney?, Information on how to obtain information regarding complaints against a specific attorney.
After you have found a few attorneys whom you consider to be good candidates for your specific case, call them to schedule appointments. It’s important to find out while making the appointment over the phone, if they offer a free initial consultation. This may make the first meeting you have with your prospective attorney less stressful and leaves the pressure that money sometimes can inflict when making an important decision. Trust your instincts – if you aren’t comfortable with an attorney you confer with, try a different office. You do not have any obligation to hire a lawyer merely because you consulted with that lawyer.
There are many different methods in which an attorney may approach the defense of your case. Some things to take into consideration. Take into consideration the evidence against you? Do you need an attorney to simply negotiate the best “deal” for you or do you need to go to trial? If there is significant evidence then have a attorney which is well know in the court may be a great asset. However if you feel you have a case that can win in trail and have the resources to go to trial you’ll need an attorney with a strong trial background. Surprising few attorneys have trial experience and the ones that do tend to be the most expensive. So be sure to do your homework before hiring.Return