If you are charged with a crime, it is important to hire a good criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible. No matter what the criminal charge, a criminal defense attorney can help you through the legal process. If you are arrested, your lawyer will be beside you and represent you at your arraignment and bail hearing. They will discuss your case with you and then with the prosecution. They will fight to get your bail so you don’t have to spend the time before your trial in jail. They understand the system and how it works and are your best chance for a good plea deal or even better, a not guilty verdict.

Protecting Your Rights

The best criminal defense attorneys are focused  on presenting their clients more so than the crimes they are charged with. These lawyers work hard to convince the jury and the judge that their client deserves a second chance. A skilled defense attorney can gather and assimilate information quickly and understand exactly how it applies to the case. They familiarize themselves with all police reports and witness statements and any autopsy reports as necessary. They are also familiar with the prosecution and how they typically present their case.

Criminal Charges

When you are charged with a crime, you want to find the best criminal defense attorney for our case. There are several things you can do to improve your odds. First, research local criminal defense attorneys. Check into their record and look at how many cases they win with not guilty verdicts and how many they plead out. This is public information and should be readily available.

It is also important to choose an attorney who is experienced with your type of criminal case. This will ensure the lawyer is familiar with the specific laws and all the possible penalties if you are convicted. They will also know the best defense to use in your case.

Free Consultations

If you have the time, narrow down your list of potential criminal defense attorneys to the top three or four. Then set up a consultation. The attorneys should be willing to meet with you for no charge. During this initial consultation, they will evaluate your case and discuss your options. During this meeting, you should ask the attorney about their fee schedule. If you need financial assistance, ask them about a payment schedule. This initial meeting will provide you an idea of how the lawyer operates and if you are comfortable with them.

Ask Questions

This is also the time to ask the attorney about their experience with your type of case. You should also ask for references. Check with these people and ask them about their experience with the attorney and their team. Another important question to ask during this initial consultation is exactly who will be working on your case. Quite often, busy criminal defense attorneys have junior partners and paralegals actually prepare the case and the attorney will then make the appearances.

When you’ve been charged with a crime, it is important to hire a good criminal defense attorney. Call the best local defense lawyer near you for a consultation appointment today.