Questions to Ask a Potential Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are found guilty of committing a criminal offense, you face the potential risk of going to prison, being charged hefty fines and even forfeiting property like your car and other valuable possessions. Hiring a highly experienced criminal defense lawyer who has vast knowledge of the law, court expertise and litigation success is critical to ensuring that you get the best defense in your case and a desirable outcome in the end. What questions should you ask when interviewing a criminal lawyer?
How many years have you represented people facing serious criminal charges? Knowing whether or not a lawyer has handed actual criminal cases is important in determining their level of experience. You want someone who has practiced criminal defense for many years and also obtained reduced charges for represented clients in trial. Ask the lawyers you interview to show you records of previous similar cases they have handled so that you can verify their expertise.
What track record do you have in having charges reduced or dropped? The point of hiring a criminal lawyer is to simply help you get reduced charges or having them entirely dropped. If a lawyer cannot help you do that, there is no point of hiring them. A suitable DUI attorney in Bellevue or King County to defend you should have an impressive record of helping many clients get the desired outcome they want in their case. You should also know how many guilty and not guilty verdicts that a lawyer has had in court.
What major concerns do you have with my criminal case? A lawyer will handle your case based on the type of situation you are in and the charges you are facing. Before hiring a lawyer, get to know the concerns that they may have about your case. You can as well refer to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-tracy/putting-marijuana-dui-in-_b_6023136.html for DUI laws. This will help you know the factors that could affect the outcome of your case as well as how best your case should be approached. Get to know the type of outcome you should expect. Although you should not get guarantees, an experienced lawyer should have a general idea of the possible outcome.
What potential costs should I expect in my case? A good lawyer from http://www.petersassoc.com/dui/ will give you a realistic estimate of the expected costs based on your individual circumstances. Hiring the best criminal defense lawyer can be expensive, especially if your case is complex. Avoid those who quote a fixed fee or low fees. Consult different lawyers and choose one who best meets your needs. By asking these questions, choosing the most qualified lawyer to defend you becomes easier.
