People often do not know where to turn when they get into trouble with the law, especially if they face criminal charges. It would be best if you had an outstanding criminal defense attorney working on your case when your livelihood is on the line. If you find yourself in this situation,
Learn how to find the best criminal attorney
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Ask family and friends for recommendations
When asking around for a referral to a capable criminal defense lawyer, start with people in your inner circle, such as acquaintances and even family members. The chances are that someone will have a positive story to share about a lawyer who has helped them out of legal trouble before. If you cannot find anyone from your immediate social circles, ask others in your community if their friends can recommend someone reputable. For example, you may ask the person at your local library’s reference desk to recommend an attorney specializing in criminal defence if they do not know anyone. One of the good names includes Brownstone Appellate Law Firm among others.
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Call a couple of law firms
Once you have a shortlist of referrals from friends and family or acquaintances, call each one and discuss their experience with the firm. Ask them directly about their satisfaction with the results of their case and how their lawyers handled communication with them throughout the entire process. You may also want to ask what fees were involved during this process. Please pay close attention to which attorneys promise lower rates upfront instead of those that will charge more after completing additional work on your case.
PRO TIP: Read this article to learn does a criminal record go away?
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Arrange for a consultation
Schedule an appointment to speak with the attorneys who impressed you the most after your initial phone conversations. This face-to-face meeting will give you a chance to get a sense of their personality and work style, as well as whether they have any relevant experience in your particular case. There is no need to rush into scheduling this interview either. You can even ask them what times are best for them before offering up several potential days for an appointment.
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Trust your instincts
During your conversation with these lawyers, please note how they treat you throughout the entire process. They are taking on a serious responsibility by working with criminal defendants, so they must respect you and make you feel comfortable during every step of this collaboration, even if you are the one who is supposed to provide them with payment for their help. Remember that criminal cases can be among the most stressful situations, even those who have not been accused of any wrongdoing yet.
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Ask about their experience
Before choosing a lawyer, ask each one to tell you about their professional background. This should include how long they have been practising law and how many years they have focused on particular types of cases, such as drug crimes. These details will give you an idea of whether the attorney has worked on other cases similar to yours, which could impact your case’s outcome. After all, there is no use in hiring someone to work on you if they do not know what they are doing.
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Negotiate fees
An attorney’s rates may vary depending on their experience and the complexity of your case, so be sure to discuss these details before making any commitment. Some firms will bill you by the hour, while others want to charge a flat rate for certain types of cases. In addition, some attorneys may not charge you anything upfront but expect to receive a portion of the settlement from your case if they win in court or get you an outstanding plea bargain. This is why it is best to compare prices from several different lawyers before deciding since there is no one-size-fits-all approach to legal matters such as this one.
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Review your options
After meeting with several different lawyers, it is time to choose the one you know will be attentive and communicative while also providing a reasonable rate. If your case involves lengthy litigation or extensive negotiations, consider selecting an attorney who may charge more initially but has proven skills in cases where defendants have been accused of white-collar crimes.
The best criminal attorney can be found by speaking with former clients and people from your community about which attorneys they most recommend. After narrowing down your options, call each law firm and discuss their rates and satisfaction with past clients before scheduling face-to-face interviews to get a better feel for the person you’ll potentially be working with for months or years into the future.
If you are in Georgia and facing criminal charges, your top priority should be finding a reliable criminal attorney in Georgia. A criminal conviction can have serious and long-lasting consequences on your personal and professional life, and having the right legal representation can make all the difference. While there are many criminal defense attorneys to choose from in Georgia, it can be challenging to know where to start. It is essential to do your research and find an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who can provide you with a strong defense and help you navigate the complex criminal justice system.