Being accused of criminal charges has never been a walk in the park. Between the possibility of getting arrested and/or going to jail to the frequent court hearings and all the worries, people usually forget to take the time to choose a proper lawyer or law company.
Individuals often try to find the most notorious or prestigious lawyer but forget the essence. So, here are a few tips for finding the best criminal defense law company.
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Experience Says Its Name
The number of years in business, as well as the number of won cases, are both very important when choosing a legal representative. Therefore, a skilled and experienced lawyer is a go-to every time. So, always make sure to ask about an attorney’s level of familiarity with certain cases.
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Opinions Matter
As important as experience is, it could also be a very good idea to do your research and check reviews and testimonials about certain law companies. For this matter, you can always look on Yelp or Google. Don’t rely only on their website because they might only post positive reviews there.
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First Impression Could Be One’s Business Card
The first impression about someone will always leave a mark somewhere in the background. The same thing applies here. If you feel like the first encounter with the law firm doesn’t look that great, it is recommended that you look for a different company. You need a team you can rely on, one that is responsive, respectful, and sympathetic to your needs.
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Communication Is Important
In most cases, a lawsuit can be very stressful – which is why you should hire a company that it’s easy to communicate with. It is best practice to be given the email address and personal cell phone number of the lawyer that you are working it, making communication more effective.
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Choose a Law Firm from Your Area
It is very important to go for a company that operates in your area. This way, they will be familiar with the local and state laws and will know all the ins and outs that will help you with the case. For example, if you live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, it makes no sense to search for a firm in New York, even if it’s good and highly praised. It’s best to look for an Albuquerque criminal defense law firm that meets your criteria.
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Compare Prices
No matter which company you choose, you will have some fees to pay. So, it is very important to compare the prices and get them in writing, for assurance and better comparison. The contract shouldn’t be left out in any agreement. Keep in mind that “expensive” doesn’t necessarily mean experienced and look out for extra charges that you did not agree on.
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Specialization
For the company to meet your needs, you need to check out their specialization. If they do not advertise “criminal law” anywhere on their website, add, business card, etc., you should try and look for someone else. You must understand that if your lawyer is not constantly involved in criminal law, he/she might not be able to defend you in court.
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Education Matters
Another very important aspect that you need to look for is the education of the lawyers in the company. This type of information is usually not that hard to find and it can give you a good insight regarding the company’s fit for your needs.
It would be best to work with companies and/or lawyers that went to highly recognized schools. Still, don’t disregard other options, since they may actually offer you everything that you are looking for. So, make a mix of all these factors: education, experience, fees, communication skills and decide on the best law firm for you.
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Ask About the Other Employees of the Company
Usually, when you are choosing a criminal defense law company, they will assign an attorney in your defense. The thing is that lawyers rarely investigate alone – they will bring their own team of researchers and assistants. Therefore, it is very important to know more about the rest of the team.
Primarily, you should ask about their experience in the field. If you consider that they are inexperienced, it could be a sign that the company might not be the best fit for your needs.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the criminal defense law company that fits your needs the best is crucial as it can impact the outcome of your lawsuit positively or negatively. It is extremely important to find a firm that is experienced in criminal cases since this can dictate your future and how the world will see you further.
