Don’t Make This Mistake When You Hire Your Defense Attorney. Obviously, any time you purchase a service, price is definitely a consideration. My point is that it should not be the controlling factor. My explanation is as follows:
If you needed an operation, would you base your decision simply on what doctor charged the least amount to perform the surgery? No, you would place more emphasis on such factors as experience, success in similar operations and perhaps his bedside manner. By hiring the wrong doctor, the surgery may not go well which could result in complications. This may result in you having follow up or corrective surgeries, which means additional cost and perhaps long-term medical problems. All of these could have been avoided by hiring the best doctor, not the least expensive.
Likewise, if you do not hire the best attorney then the results may be unfavorable. As an experienced attorney, I will evaluate your case to determine if you have a viable defense. A conviction may result in a hefty fine, loss of license and incarceration. Unfortunately, this could result in you losing your security clearance or worse, your job.
I recommend that when trying to find an experienced criminal law attorney that you first look at their level of experience. How long have they been practicing law? How long have they been doing criminal defense? Are they a former prosecuting attorney? Being a former prosecutor is an advantage because you have a firm understanding of how they evaluate a case. You should also look at that attorney’s reviews. An experienced attorney should have at least 30 favorable reviews. Martindale Hubble is a well-respected company whose rating system is based on attorneys rating other attorneys. An AV rating is their highest rating. Another rating service is AVVO. Their ratings are based on a number of factors including attorney endorsements. A 10.0 is their highest rating and what you should expect from your attorney.
You should also inquire as to whether the attorney you are speaking with is the one who will be representing you in court. You do not want to be the client who thought they would be represented by a veteran attorney but end up in court with a lesser experienced associate. You will also want to consider if the attorney has an office where you can meet with him. Some attorneys operate over the phone or on the courthouse steps before their cases. The attorney you hire should have an office with an experienced legal assistant ready to schedule an appointment at your convenience.
I hope you found this article beneficial. I wish you the best of luck. If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 757-410-5042. My legal assistant Karen is ready to set up your appointment so that we can begin working on your case.