To mitigate the damage to your reputation, difficulty finding work, losing custody of your children, being subject to deportation, and other problems that come with criminal convictions, you need a good lawyer to help.
Everywhere you look, there are advertisements for lawyers looking to take your money. How do you know that the criminal defense lawyer you hire is going to do everything they can to lessen or drop your charges?
There are a few key things to look for and questions to ask a potential lawyer to make sure that they are the right fit for you. Keep reading to learn how to find the best defense lawyer for your situation.
Look up Their License and Disciplinary Records
Before making an appointment to interview a lawyer, do some homework!
Every state has a disciplinary board who keeps detailed records on every lawyer with licenses in that particular state.
Look Up your prospective Attorney with the state disciplinary board. If they have violations or had their bar license revoked at any point, the disciplinary board will have records of it.
For a free legal consultation, call 215.515.3360
Criminal Law Specialization
No lawyer knows everything about every law there is.
Make sure that the lawyer you choose is well versed in criminal law. Check their website and advertisements for any mention of criminal law cases. If there are none, call the next lawyer.
Check Reviews
A good method for determining if an attorney is reputable is to examine reviews from their previous clients. The more positive reviews the better!
Find a Knowledgeable Criminal Defense Lawyer
In our age of modern technology, pretty much any answer you need is a few keystrokes away. Make sure your lawyer knows the important stuff without help from the internet.
A good criminal defense representative will be able to look at your charges and explain what penalties you might face.
If the lawyer you are interviewing needs to look up the potential punishments for your crime, it’s not a good sign.
Up Front with Fees
Some lawyers are going to charge more than others for a variety of reasons. The price of the lawyer does not always match their skills though.
It is sad to say it, but some lawyers will try to take advantage of someone in a tight spot with a criminal charge. Some might even try to scam you.
What you want to look for is a lawyer who can explain their fee structure and their scope of work to you without sounding shady. If you can see them become agitated or try to obfuscate their answer, you should keep looking for a more honest lawyer.
Professional rules for attorneys say that lawyers are not allowed to guarantee certain results. Do not trust someone who does not want to talk to or brainstorm how they will handle your case. They should not just take your money and guarantee a win. It is unethical and unrealistic. Even if your case seems straightforward, you are paying a lawyer for their talent, smarts, compassion, and communication.
Look for an attorney who not only explains their fee structure up front, but also provides payment and financing options to fit your needs.
Contact The Law Offices of M.J. Snyder Today!
Choosing who you want to represent you is one of the most important decisions to make after an arrest. Once you have a good criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can start to focus on your defense strategy.
If you are looking for an experienced lawyer in the Philadelphia area, we would love to help you out. Contact the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder today at 215-515-3360 to schedule your free consultation!
Ask about the special financing options available through our EasyRetainer® program.
