Criminal Defense Attorney – How to Find an Attorney to Fight for Your Rights

A criminal defense attorney can help you present your case in court. When you have been accused of a criminal act, you need an aggressive, experienced lawyer. The criminal defense attorney should also be board certified and have a specialization in criminal defense. You should also be sure to contact a lawyer right away. Even if you are simply being investigated by police, you should seek legal advice in case you are eventually arrested.

When locating the best criminal defense attorney for you, you should be sure to contact lawyers who are in your area. These lawyers are knowledgeable of the laws in your state. They also aware of the judges and other people in the judicial system in your area. Be sure to read all of the information that you can that is related to the lawyer's experience. Find out where the lawyer went to college and when they graduated. Learn when they passed the bar, if possible. See if the lawyer has experience defending people who have had charges similar to your charge. Although the situations are likely to be different, you want a lawyer who is well-versed in helping people who have been arrested for a crime similar or the same as your own charge.

Sometimes seeking the advice of a lawyer that is well-known for criminal defense or have had experience as a prosecutor can work in your favor. These lawyers may have information written about them on the internet and even in legal journals. Other lawyers will know this person, and consider this person as a well-respected colleague. You can also check to see if the lawyer is a member of respected law associations that are related to criminal defense. It is important to get as much information as you can, regarding information written about the lawyer in addition to information that the law firm has written about its practice. Information written about the law firm can be more telling and objective than public relations material developed by the firm. Seek lawyers who are asked their opinions in cases, either in publications or on television.

You can also conduct research on cases that are similar to your case and locate the lawyers who successfully provided the defense. Ask a media specialist to help you conduct this research if necessary. Remember to seek lawyers who have successfully defended high-profiled cases, and have several years worth of experience in doing so. Your research will pay off, because you will end up having the best assistance possible for your case.

Consult with lawyers that you are considering to represent you. When communicating with the lawyer, determine if you believe that the lawyer will fight as hard as possible for your rights. If a group of lawyers will be representing you, be sure to interview or at least meet all of them. Be sure to have all of the information that you know about your case with you during your consultation. Take notes before your visit, so you can present your information in a clear and effective manner. In addition to the details of the case, you need to tell the criminal defense attorney your charges and provide any proof that you believe that is relevant to your case.