Find a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer - How to Make the Right Choice

When you are either investigated for a federal crime or charged with a federal crime, you need a lawyer that understands federal criminal law. Not all criminal lawyers are prepared to defend you in a federal criminal case. The United States Attorney only pursues the most serious crimes, such as drug crimes, sex crimes, interstate fraud, kidnapping murder, RICO, and gun crimes. In addition, the federal sentencing guidelines are much harsher than most state sentencing guidelines. There is no parole in the federal system. Although there is time off for good behavior, it is not substantial and you can expect to serve virtually your entire sentence. This is why it is critical that you hire a federal criminal defense lawyer who knows the federal criminal system.
When you hire a qualified federal criminal defense lawyer, there are several things that he should do immediately. First, he should determine the progress of the case. If you are under investigation and have not been charged yet, then it is still possible to avoid a criminal charge. If you have been charged, your lawyer should be prepared to start the case immediately and begin discovery.
The second, and probably the most important step, for a qualified lawyer is to determine the possible sentence. This is more than just looking at the statute. A qualified lawyer will also look at your criminal history and determine whether there are any mitigating factors that could shorten a possible sentence or any aggravating factors that could increase your sentence. This is absolutely critical, because it is the cornerstone of an effective federal criminal defense. In order to create an effective case strategy, your lawyer must be able to predict where you will fall in the federal sentencing guidelines. This is because the US Attorney's Office has a very high win rate at trial. Your lawyer should base the case strategies against the risks you face in the case. If you lawyer understands the federal sentencing guidelines, then he can tell you the pros and cons of various strategies measured against the risks in the case.
Third, do not pick a lawyer that is afraid to go to trial, but you also don't want a lawyer who claims to always go to trial. A lawyer who is afraid to go to trial will not be able to stand up for your and protect your rights, which is exactly what you want a lawyer from a lawyer in a federal criminal case.  A lawyer who says he always goes to trial is putting you at risk, particularly if you are looking at a high end sentence under the federal guidelines.  The bottom line is that you want a lawyer who can either get you a dramatic sentence reduction or who can fight for you in front of the judge and jury. If a lawyer cannot do both things for you, then that lawyer is putting you at risk of doing much more time in federal prison that you have to do.
Fourth and finally, pick a lawyer that you can work with for several months or years. Federal criminal cases can last a very long time. If you pick a lawyer that you do not trust or who you cannot work with, it could hurt your case. If you decide to change lawyers, you will most likely have to get the court's permission. When the court gives you permission, your new lawyer has to get up to speed on your case quickly and be ready to respond to the prosecution almost immediately. Make sure you make a good choice the first time you hire a lawyer, and then stick with that lawyer. The other part of this is that you do not want to shop for a lawyer based on price. You should be cautious about a lawyer who offers a cut rate, because that lawyer may never intend to go to trial or may not be qualified enough to command the usual rate for federal criminal defense lawyers. Your future is riding on your lawyer, now is not the time to skimp.
Right now, you need to do whatever it takes to get the best possible  federal criminal defense lawyer. It is stressful when you are under a federal investigation or have been charged with a federal crime, but a qualified federal criminal defense lawyer can help. Your lawyer can take some of that stress off of you, he can tell you what your options are, he can explain the risks, and he can fight for you every step of the way.

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What to Look For When Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer

When you are forced to face a grim legal consequence which may involve jail term, probation or fines, you can't afford to go about handling your legal condition without the services of a Cincinnati criminal defense lawyer. You need to get the services of a lawyer who has the knowledge, experience and the reputation to handle your case with the prosecutors, judges and courts.
As soon as a person is released from jail on signature and cash bond, he must immediately prepare for his defense. The best way to prepare for the case is for the person to hire a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you avail for the services of one the better for your chances at successful defense. In cases where you are still under investigation or if you have not been charged, you should immediately seek a legal counsel as it is your basic right.
There are essential guidelines that you should follow when searching for your defense lawyer.
1. Perform an online search for a qualified Cincinnati criminal defense attorney who is practicing in the location where you are facing criminal charges. Narrow your search by focusing those legal practitioners specializing in criminal cases.
2. Pick out the top three or four law firms for your choice of criminal defense lawyer. Screen the lawyer's credentials and track record. Verify his court experience in the court case that you are facing.
3. Visit the websites of the large and most renowned criminal defense associations and check the criminal defense lawyer's name. You should limit the search for your attorney to those who are affiliated of highly regarded lawyer's associations.
4. Check on the veracity of the claimed area of expertise of the criminal defense lawyer. You can also check the State journal site and local TV stations.
5. Lastly, visit or call the law firm to verify if they provide free initial consultation so that you can explore the possibilities for their firm representing you in your court case.
You should also consider the following when selecting your Cincinnati criminal defense attorney.
1. Check for published books, articles and treatises that were written by the lawyer. This is a strong evidence of the competence of your legal counsel.
2. Verify the number of outright acquittals won by the lawyer. This is a good proof not only on the expertise of the lawyer but also on the degree of preparation and overall court demeanor your lawyer.
3. Check on how your lawyer is regarded by his peers and his position in lawyer's associations.
4. If there is a referral for the lawyer from state bars, then you are assured of the competence and integrity of your criminal defense lawyer. You can check the website of the state bar to get the background information of your lawyer.
5. Check the feedback of legal experts and criminal law commentators. Watch local TV and radio shows that feature forums on criminal law. Citing and invitation of lawyer in these forums indicate his being highly regarded in the field of criminal law.

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Guidelines in Hiring a Richmond Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal defense lawyers are the very people you will call in times of unfortunate incidents such as being arrested or being charged with a crime. Legal advices and representations are what you require during these trying instances.
Getting a criminal defense lawyer at once is also essential because you got to know your rights. And there is a proper way of responding to the police and to the court officials. You should know those as well. Criminal defense lawyers would be able to help with these.
The criminal defense lawyers from Richmond are always ready to discuss your case with you. They are more than willing to protect you, your family, your properties, your freedom, as well as your reputation. The lawyers of Richmond would be there to help.
But there are countless of Richmond criminal defense lawyers that you can go to, all with good honors and numerous laurels to boost. To give you an idea who to contact in times of trouble, here are the things that can serve as a guideline.

Are these defense lawyers expert in the field of criminal law?
Criminal cases are very much different from civil cases. And the expertise of a lawyer is usually either of the two. Seldom would you see a lawyer who specializes in both fields at the same time. The laws governing a criminal case is more strict than that of a civil case. So make sure that the lawyer you are getting are real-deal criminal defense lawyers.

Do these lawyers have a good winning percentage?
It really doesn't matter if you go to a big law firm or a small one. What matters is the main person who will handle your case. Has he won a lot of cases lately? Do you have faith that he can take your case towards acquittal or settlement? A good criminal defense lawyer is a winning lawyer. He should be able to effortlessly win the case.

Does the criminal defense lawyer new to his job?
Experience counts. If the lawyer you are going to get has just handled a case or two, you are gambling on his abilities to represent you. Anyway, good lawyers, no matter how short time they had spent, has the power to win any case. But you've got to request for a mentor for that lawyer should you feel uncomfortable with him handling your case single-handedly.

Has the criminal defense lawyer handled a similar case before and has won?
A case always is different from another, even though the may seem to be very similar. But the lawyer's attack on the defense is usually the same. They just change tactics slightly, depending on the merits of the case. A lawyer that has handled a case similar to yours before is a good option because he, more or less, knows how the entire proceeding will head to.

Is the criminal defense lawyer knowledgeable with the case and the law?
This is very important. The criminal defense lawyer that is going to represent you in court should be well-schooled as well as well-informed of the case. He should know by mind and by heart, the articles of the constitution that are applied against you. While it is true that he cannot memorize the whole constitutional provisions, he should at least research on similar cases and matters before hand.
These are what you should ask yourself if you are in the stages of hiring a criminal defense lawyer. Better answer these questions right now, than do it when necessary, as you might not have time to prepare.

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Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer for a Felony: Important Facts to Know

Criminal defense lawyers know your life and liberty is greatly at risk of being cut down from a criminal felony charge. Even if you are criminally charged for a felony and not convicted you can still lose your job and suffer greatly from the social stigma. If charges have not been filed and you are being criminally investigated, now is the best time to hire a criminal defense lawyer. A lawyer will preserve evidence in your favor and bring it to the prosecutor's or police's attention before they file charges. In most cases it is much easier for a lawyer to prevent criminal charges from being filed then trying to get them dismissed after charges have been filed.

Criminal Defense Lawyers Protect You from the Government's Power
If you have been arrested, indicted, or are being investigated for a criminal offense, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to protect your life. The earlier a criminal lawyer intercedes on your behalf, the better your chances of having a better result on your case. A criminal defense lawyer can protect rights you may not even be aware of in an investigation by police, prosecutor or detectives. It is very unusual and rare for a defendant charged with a serious crime to not benefit from having a private lawyer. A criminal defense lawyer will protect you from the government's power and use of coercion, especially from overzealous prosecutors.

The Government Provides Public Defenders to Those Who Can't Afford a Private Lawyer
Public defenders are lawyers that work for the government. Government-appointed lawyers are hired and paid by the state on a case-by-case basis. A public defender or appointed lawyer is made available to those not able to pay for a private lawyer. In such instances, you are not entitled to pick your lawyer, who may or may not have experience with your particular type of criminal law case.

You Have the Right to a Private Criminal Defense Lawyer
Private criminal defense lawyers having great case results are able to do so because they work with a team of top criminal lawyers, have a slew of experts and resources, and also have the necessary time to work on your case. All jurisdictions in the United States allow all persons to have a private criminal defense lawyer. It is your right, as stated in the United States constitution, to be represented by a lawyer for any type of case. You also have the right to a lawyer at any stage of the case, even before charges are filed and you are only questioned.

A Felony Charge Can Severely Hurt Your Life Forever
When convicted of a felony crime, whether you go to prison or not, your life may suffer serious consequences during imprisonment and after. Even if a criminal case is dismissed, when a case is filed, there is still a stain on the defendant's record that may appear in a background check. No lawyer can stop your criminal record from showing up in an internet background check that comes up in seconds with the click of a button. A criminal conviction on your record will affect your ability to get any job, housing, obtaining a job license, getting a mortgage, higher education schooling, student loans, any government assistance programs and more. Furthermore, if you are convicted of a felony you are usually not eligible for low-income housing.

60% of Ex-Felons Remain Unemployed, Many Become Homeless
A 2007 study done by the National Institute of Justice found 60% of ex-felon offenders remain unemployed a year after their release. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation states that 75% people convicted of a felony are unemployed. Many unemployed felons have a low quality of life as panhandlers, camp out on the street and the lucky ones stay in homeless shelters, and eat at soup kitchens. Being unemployed makes a former criminal offender more likely to commit a crime and land right back in prison. The facts are clear, once you have been convicted of a crime you may end up revolving in and out of prison for the rest of your life or homeless.

Criminal Law is Not for Amateurs, it is Very Complex and Challenging
Criminal law is extremely lengthy and not for the feeble-minded. Aside from the intricacy of laws concerning criminal charges there exist laws regarding evidence, there are legal procedures, and deadlines strategically used by criminal defense lawyers. One innocent mistake by a lawyer not experienced in serious criminal defense, like missing a deadline or not responding in the required time period could cost you greatly and cause irreversible grave damage to your case. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will be able to assess the proper legal path to take throughout the case. A lawyer will also have the ability to identify and assess the strengths and weaknesses and counter them with a well devised strategy. Of course, a lawyer working with a team of lawyers, experts and having the necessary resources will be able to pool their criminal defense expertise and knowledge for your benefit.

Cost of Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer
When your liberty is at stake and your life may be affected forever, you should hire the best criminal defense lawyer to protect you. Your life is valuable and this is not the time to skimp or shop around for the cheapest attorney. Consider hiring a criminal defense lawyer who lists at least some of their case results on their website and who also post their testimonials. Some of the best lawyer websites will even post reviews verified by another company. Know that the decisions you make now may determine how your life will be forever. What kind of life you will have is more important than the money used to hire a lawyer.
Many criminal defense lawyers bill hourly or have a flat fee arrangement. A lawyer giving a flat fee upfront will assure you get the legal representation and the retainer will assure you of no surprises. Many of the best criminal defense lawyers even offer payment plans because they are dedicated to offering the best legal representation and getting you the justice you deserve. However, know that the best lawyers also hire the best experts and use cutting edge resources to work effectively on your case and all these things come at a cost. Be prepared to pay a reasonable deposit for the best criminal defense lawyer.
If you do not have any money to pay a private lawyer, explain your dire circumstances to your friends and family and be sure to tell them how your life can be damaged forever if you don't get help from a qualified lawyer now. Get a loan; many times you can even get a bad credit loan based on your assets like owning a home or car. Apply for credit or check your credit cards for unused credit. If you have a credit card you may also make a request to your credit card company to increase your balance.
Before talking about cost, first talk to the lawyer about your criminal charge or investigation to find out if the lawyer can help you. If the criminal defense lawyer can help you then the fee will be discussed. If the lawyer cannot help you, you may ask them to refer you to the right lawyer or source.

Criminal Defense Lawyers for White Collar Crimes
White collar crimes are criminal charges generally regarded as non-violent. Most white collar or federal cases involve fraud. If charged with a white collar crime, it is wise to choose a criminal defense lawyer working with a team of lawyers and experts and has the resources to give you the best legal representation and defense. Do not choose a lawyer just because he is a family friend. Your life is at stake and you need appropriate legal representation from a criminal defense lawyer. Know that a lawyer who works with legal business documents or processes is not automatically qualified to work on white collar criminal defense. Criminal defense is a completely different arena and it is best to hire a lawyer with experience in the criminal court room, laws and procedure.
White collar criminal charges, especially fraud, are currently being penalized and pursued ferociously by the FBI and U.S. lawyers. Now is not the time to sit back and wait for criminal charges to be filed if you or your associates are being investigated. It is imperative you hire a criminal defense lawyer immediately to lessen the severity of the charges that do get filed, steer the case in a favorable direction, or possibly prevent charges from being filed.

The Prosecutor's Position
Prosecutors have power in determining what criminal charges are filed, which charges they are willing to change and the penalties. Criminal defense lawyers know how to have a relationship and communication with a prosecutor that works favorably for you. The top criminal defense lawyers know how important it is to communicate well and effectively with prosecutors. No book can teach that, this valuable experience is beyond price and can only be gained in working as a criminal defense lawyer.

Don't Risk Your Life, Never Represent Yourself
Criminal laws and defense are elaborate and the complexity is beyond what you could ever attempt to learn about in a book. There are facets of criminal law not immediately visible to the amateur or lawyer just graduating law school. The best lawyers are not going to publish their winning strategies and expert resources in books for competitors to pick up. Don't even give a second thought to representing yourself; hire a criminal defense lawyer for your life and future.

Do Not Plead Guilty because You Think the Odds are Against You. Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
The prosecutor, detectives, or investigators may make you feel like they have all the evidence to convict you and you have no chance. Do not buy into this; hire a criminal defense lawyer immediately to preserve evidence in your favor and without delay conduct a private criminal investigation that will help you. A lawyer will also conduct an investigation as to how the evidence was obtained, stored and many other variables. A lawyer will also question witnesses and look at their history and character for flaws that weaken the prosecutor's case.

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How To Find A Criminal Defense Lawyer With 7 Key Questions

You can't believe it's happening to you. There's a pit in your stomach as the cop starts coming toward you and utters the words "I'm arresting you for a criminal offense."
Your mind starts racing with thoughts like " What in the world am I going to do? How is this going to affect my life, freedom, family, job? What can I do to protect myself? How do I decide on the right lawyer so I have the best legal help possible?"
Regrettably, this crisis is a possibility for anyone. Innocent people are charged with crimes as a result of many different circumstances, such as honest mistakes, or overzealous, or malicious actions by others. Good people also make mistakes and choose the wrong course of action in a difficult situation.
Whatever the case is, you sure enough need the best representation you can get.
All of a Sudden Nothing is More Important
You realize that a conviction will have ruinous effects on your life so it's important to seek the best attorney you can afford, whether you need an Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer (my state) or one who can represent you in another state of the U.S.
And even though you are "under the gun" to hire someone, this decision must be made with care. After all, if your life was threatened in a medical emergency, such as needing brain surgery, you probably wouldn't want the cheapest doctor to perform it. Moreover, you shouldn't choose an attorney based on who charges the least. At the same time, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to hire the most expensive person.
How Are You Supposed to Pick a Criminal Defense Attorney, then?
Should you hire your brother-in-law's estate planning lawyer, or the attorney who handled your high school friend's divorce? What about going to the yellow pages and picking the lawyer on the first page of the attorney listings, or the law firm with a two page ad?
I don't advocate any of those methods for someone charged with a criminal offense. The problem is that just because someone went to law school and passed the bar exam, that doesn't mean he or she is effective and experienced in criminal defense. Many have never set foot in a courtroom.
All Lawyers Are Not the Same
In the medical field there are doctors who specialize in certain parts of the body and so, too, many lawyers concentrate on just a few areas of the law. There are just too many types of law for someone to be an expert in every area.
Think of it this way. Do you really think that someone who spends most of their time writing and negotiating contracts for businesses would be as effective in the courtroom as a lawyer with decades of experience in criminal law?
What's more, when you hire an expert, you have to expect that the cost is going to be higher than hiring someone else with only a moderate amount of knowledge or experience.
That leads us to:
7 Key Questions to Find the Right Lawyer for your Criminal Defense
1. The first question to ask would be simply, How many years has the lawyer practiced criminal law.Someone with a fair number of years of experience, such as 10 years or more, would be preferred. Your future is too important to hand over your defense to a new law school graduate.
2. The second question you'll want to learn the answer to will be how many trials has the lawyer handled. This is important because your lawyer should be familiar and confident with the process. There are some so called "criminal lawyers" who rarely, or never go to trial and are known as "settling attorneys". Many times they aren't comfortable in trials, and even if it isn't best for their client, they find a way to settle without going to trial. The prosecution can sense that fear of going to trial, which can have a detrimental effect on possible plea bargaining for the client. Definitely, a lawyer who has tried 50 to 100 or more cases will maintain a stronger bargaining position.
3. Another thing you should determine is the number of jury trials the attorney has handled. Additional areas of expertise are needed in jury trial with facets like selecting jurors, and knowing how to be persuasive to jury members. As you can probably guess, more experience with jury trials is better than less. If your lawyer has handled 40 or 50 jury trials, he or she should have learned a lot about strategy in that area.
4. While you can certainly ask a potential lawyer about his or her experience, an even better way to determine that is is through a reliable certification process. Some states recognize specializations in different areas of law and if a lawyer qualifies according to the state's requirements, he can reflect that specialization in his marketing and advertising materials. However, many states don't allow specializations (including my state of Oklahoma). Fortunately, there is a national certification available through the National Board of Trial Advocacy This is a very rigorous certification process, requiring significant experience in criminal trials, a written exam, peer review and recertification every 5 years.
If a lawyer has achieved this certification, you have an unbiased third party validation of her experience, instead of having to rely simply on what the lawyer says about her ability.
5. Something else you should ask about is how and when the lawyer will communicate with you. Use the first consultation (which is often free, however be sure to ask ahead of time) to assess whether you will be comfortable and confident handing your case over to this person.
6. Make sure to ask if the lawyer you think you are hiring will actually be the one who is handling your case. This is important because some firms will have you talk to a lead lawyer initially and then give your case to a newer lawyer in the firm to handle. I believe a criminal charge deserves an experienced and seasoned lawyer, not someone just out of law school.
7. Ask about the costs involved. Find out whether the lawyer charges an hourly rate or a flat fee. Obviously, it is better for you, the client, to get a flat fee. That way you know exactly how much you need to pay as opposed to being concerned that the lawyer is trying to string things along in order to increase his fees. Also, determine what is covered in the flat fee, such as does that fee cover fees for a trial or will there be additional costs for that?
Remember if the lawyer's fee is much lower than others that it could be a red flag.
A much lower fee can mean he is not as experienced (not good for you), or he may handle a high volume of cases. The problem with the high volume situation is that he won't be able to spend as much time or attention on your case (also not desirable) as the lawyer who takes fewer cases but charges more.
I've also known of attorneys who entice clients by stating they will only charge a small amount such as $100.00 to go to court for you. However, they don't mention that you'll have to continue to pay them for every phone call or each document they do for you. And, pretty soon the total expense can be higher than a set fee charged by someone else.
A lower fee could also indicate that the lawyer is the "settling" kind of lawyer as I mentioned before, who won't go to trial even if its in your best interest. And since he knows he won't ever be going to trial he can charge less, as trials involve significantly more work.
I believe these questions will allow you to become informed in this important decision making process so you can find a criminal defense lawyer who will skillfully protect your rights and freedom.

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LA County Criminal Defense Lawyers - The Importance of Seeking Lawyers Advice

If you are a resident of LA County and you have been accused of a crime then is appropriate to consult a criminal defense lawyer immediately to make sure you are given the proper legal advice.
While there are federal laws to govern every crime committed, there are some states that implement their own criminal laws in addition to the federal laws on crimes. An LA county criminal defense lawyer would be in the best position to give legal advice on this matter.
A person seeking for a qualified LA county criminal defense lawyer should not worry because most LA county lawyers have their own websites from where they can get the information they want. Their websites do not only show useful contact information for criminal defense lawyers but they also offer free legal consultation to prospective clients. The person accused of a crime or his family can consult with the lawyer either personally or through the internet.
A person who has been accused of a crime should seek a criminal defense lawyer even if he believes he is innocent of the charges. There are legal procedures being followed by most states and this includes the issuance of a warrant of arrest. Even if the accused is innocent of the criminal charges a warrant can still be issued for his arrest and he can still be put to jail.
Not all people are aware of the legal procedures being followed by the courts so to make sure that the accused gets the best legal advice, he should consult with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The criminal defense lawyer can advise the accused of his rights even before he is arrested as well as once arrested. And even if the accused has been arrested he can still apply for bail depending on the type of crime he has allegedly committed.
Some criminals lounging in jail are innocent but they failed to get the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney so their cases were not properly pleaded in court. There are legal principles that may absolve the accused form the crime charged but only the criminal defense lawyers can advise him of these principles.
It is important to get a lawyer from LA County because he is presumed to know the federal and state laws applicable to your case. Such lawyer would also be more knowledgeable about the courts and the strategies of the district attorneys in LA County and can thus provide the accused the best legal strategy for his case.
Being accused of a crime can mean losing your property, your friends, your job, even your life. Any person who wants to protect these things should make sure he is being given the best legal strategy that can help him win the case or make the sentence lighter and more bearable.
When choosing a criminal defense lawyer in LA County, the accused should make sure that he is getting the services of a reputable lawyer who has earned the respect of his colleagues as well as of the court officials. This would increase the chances of winning the defense as well as getting justice for the accused.
No matter what criminal case the accused is faced with, whether it is a common driving under the influence case or a bigger rape or murder case, the accused should always prioritize the services of a good criminal defense lawyer. This way he protects his rights and his life.

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Guidelines in Hiring a Richmond Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal defense lawyers are the very people you will call in times of unfortunate incidents such as being arrested or being charged with a crime. Legal advices and representations are what you require during these trying instances.
Getting a criminal defense lawyer at once is also essential because you got to know your rights. And there is a proper way of responding to the police and to the court officials. You should know those as well. Criminal defense lawyers would be able to help with these.
The criminal defense lawyers from Richmond are always ready to discuss your case with you. They are more than willing to protect you, your family, your properties, your freedom, as well as your reputation. The lawyers of Richmond would be there to help.
But there are countless of Richmond criminal defense lawyers that you can go to, all with good honors and numerous laurels to boost. To give you an idea who to contact in times of trouble, here are the things that can serve as a guideline.
Are these defense lawyers expert in the field of criminal law?
Criminal cases are very much different from civil cases. And the expertise of a lawyer is usually either of the two. Seldom would you see a lawyer who specializes in both fields at the same time. The laws governing a criminal case is more strict than that of a civil case. So make sure that the lawyer you are getting are real-deal criminal defense lawyers.
Do these lawyers have a good winning percentage?
It really doesn't matter if you go to a big law firm or a small one. What matters is the main person who will handle your case. Has he won a lot of cases lately? Do you have faith that he can take your case towards acquittal or settlement? A good criminal defense lawyer is a winning lawyer. He should be able to effortlessly win the case.
Does the criminal defense lawyer new to his job?
Experience counts. If the lawyer you are going to get has just handled a case or two, you are gambling on his abilities to represent you. Anyway, good lawyers, no matter how short time they had spent, has the power to win any case. But you've got to request for a mentor for that lawyer should you feel uncomfortable with him handling your case single-handedly.
Has the criminal defense lawyer handled a similar case before and has won?
A case always is different from another, even though the may seem to be very similar. But the lawyer's attack on the defense is usually the same. They just change tactics slightly, depending on the merits of the case. A lawyer that has handled a case similar to yours before is a good option because he, more or less, knows how the entire proceeding will head to.
Is the criminal defense lawyer knowledgeable with the case and the law?
This is very important. The criminal defense lawyer that is going to represent you in court should be well-schooled as well as well-informed of the case. He should know by mind and by heart, the articles of the constitution that are applied against you. While it is true that he cannot memorize the whole constitutional provisions, he should at least research on similar cases and matters before hand.
These are what you should ask yourself if you are in the stages of hiring a criminal defense lawyer. Better answer these questions right now, than do it when necessary, as you might not have time to prepare.

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