Criminal Defense Attorney: Should You Hire One?

If you have found yourself in a position where you could be charged with a crime, you may be thinking about hiring a criminal defense attorney. If the crime is minor and the potential for jail time or serious fines is particularly low, you could be persuaded to think that you can get along without one. This is fine, but it should be said that no one benefits from being their own representative in a court of law. If you want the best chance of defending yourself from charges, whether serious or minor, you should definitely hire a thorough and qualified lawyer. 

Of course, the concern on your mind could be the cost. Lawyers are notoriously expensive, and you certainly won’t be able to find a criminal defense attorney to work on a contingency basis, as you might with personal injury. Naturally, the public defender is free, but that is always the choice of last resort. It is better to go into your case with a public defender than without anyone, but what you really need is someone who is going to devote their full attention to your case. Costs will vary according to where you live and the nature of the charges being brought against you. Speaking of costs, you’ll want to be aware that some firms charge an additional fee or advanced rates if the case goes to trial. Don’t wind up in a situation where you’re forced to accept a plea simply because you can’t afford to try your case.

There are a number of different ways to go about finding the right criminal defense attorney. One good way is to seek out referrals. If you already have a lawyer for any other purpose, you might benefit from asking them their opinion. They could be able to send you to a professional that could help you out. Another nice way of getting an idea is to sit in on some court proceedings. There, you’ll be able to watch some lawyers in action. If you like someone you see, you can take down their name and talk to the firm about representing you in your case.

If all else fails, you can look online. There are a number of directories that can help you find just the right criminal defense attorney for your situation. While simply getting a name out of a directory doesn’t do much to assure you of their competency or qualifications, it could be a good first step to finding representation.