The Mistakes Every Felony Lawyer Wants You To Avoid

The life of a felony lawyer is filled with triumphs and disappointments. But many of the latter might be avoided if potential clients knew just a bit about their rights and the law as it pertains to the police. Ignorant criminals (and those who are actually innocent) make enormous mistakes every day that only serve to worsen their circumstances. Most attorneys agree that if people knew what their rights were when it came to talking to the police, prosecutors would not have nearly the conviction rates they do now. If you've been arrested, here are some mistakes you should avoid.

The Right To Remain Silent

Most people know that they have no obligation to talk to the police after being arrested. Even a felony lawyer will rarely need to smack his forehead in frustration when his client failed to understand the Miranda warning. But what many people somehow don't know is that you never have to talk to the police. Ever! And if you believe that you may be incriminated or arrested for something, you would be better off clamming up. When the police say "anything you say can and will be used against you," they aren't kidding. Wait until you talk to your attorney.

Research Before Hiring a Felony Lawyer

Because it is a desperate situation, many people wind up hiring the first attorney they come across for their defense. This is a huge mistake. Not every attorney is created equally. If you want to stand a good chance against the charges you're facing, you need to spend some time researching your options. If you have no money, those options will be limited. If you do, however, you will want to take your time and speak to more than one felony lawyer. Look for someone who is experienced in the situations you're facing.

Avoid Judgment

You can't hire a felony lawyer based only on their record. While the movies have portrayed countless examples of combative, unfriendly attorneys who nonetheless were brilliant for their clients, this is seldom the case in real life. You want someone you can talk to, trust, and who won't be judging you the entire time. This is nearly as important as finding someone who has a good track record in court. It is also one of the unfortunate aspects of having to settle for the public defender, who really has little interest in the outcome of your case. Meet with more than one attorney and make sure you hire someone you feel comfortable with.