Looking To Hire A Local Criminal Defense Attorney? Important Questions To Ask Prior To Retaining Them
If you have been charged with a crime, you may be looking to hire a local criminal attorney to help defend you. There are many questions that you should ask a local attorney prior to retaining them, including questions about their education and how much they charge. Here are a few of the other important questions you should always ask prior to retaining a criminal defense attorney.
Have You Handled Criminal Cases Like This in the Past?
One of the questions that you should always ask a local criminal defense attorney prior to hiring them is whether they have handled criminal cases like yours in the past. For example, if you have been charged with a drug crime, you want a defense attorney who has handled drug crimes. This ensures that the attorney has the experience to handle your case and is familiar with laws pertaining to the type of crime you are accused of committing.
How Often Do You Take Criminal Cases to Trial?
Another important question to ask a local criminal defense attorney is how often they take cases to trial. Some attorneys prefer to plea cases out, rather than take them to trial. Other attorneys prefer to take cases to trial. If you are innocent and do not plan on accepting a plea deal, you want a lawyer who will take your case to trial. If you are guilty and you want the criminal case behind you quickly, you may be looking to plea your case out. You will want a lawyer who pleas most of their cases out.
What Will Your Strategy Be For This Case?
Lastly, you always want to ask a local criminal defense attorney what their strategy will be for your case prior to retaining them. Do they think they can get the charges against you dismissed? Do they think they can get you a plea deal, and what type of plea deal do they think they can get you? Do they think you can win if you take your case to trial? You want to ensure you and the attorney see eye-to-eye on what the strategy of the case will be. It is important to note that as an attorney learns more about your case and obtains new evidence, the strategy may change. However, a great attorney will work with you when it comes to strategy and will consult with you to ensure you are comfortable and on board with the strategy moving forward.
If you have been charged with a crime, it is important that you hire a local criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible after your arrest. This gives the attorney the opportunity to complete discovery and come up with a plan for your case, providing you the best opportunity at winning your case. Reach out to a local criminal defense attorney if you have been charged with a crime.
For more information, contact a local attorney near you.
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