And in those moments of our lives, we have to think carefully about how to move forward and how to get out of the predicament we have found ourselves in. The choice of criminal lawyers who will represent you will have a great impact on the results of the trial. It can mean the difference between getting the best possible outcome or being judged guilty divorce lawyer huntersville. Taking this into account, today we will talk about some of the most important tips when hiring criminal lawyers in Barcelona to help you:
1. Hire a criminal lawyer specialized in criminal law
Although this may seem very obvious, many law firms offer criminal defense services, but that does not mean that they also specialize in criminal law. Most of the time it is better to go with a private attorney, but if your options are between a private attorney who has almost no experience in criminal defense and a public attorney who has years of experience, your best option would be the public attorney (and more cheap). That being said, you should focus on finding a suitable private attorney/firm that has the appropriate experience to represent you and your case. You can also ask them about the type of cases they have done before so you can get a vague idea of what they work on best and whether this is close to your predicament.
2. They tell you all the fees from the beginning
The financial aspect of a lawyer is what indicates a part of the trust between the client and the lawyer. If they tell you all their fees without hiding anything, you have no reason to worry and you can at least take a break on that aspect of the case. Shady lawyers and those looking to get your money often hide part of the fees and only mention them later during the trial. Therefore, making a written contract stating the specific amount of money that was agreed upon is crucial to your financial security.
3. Do they have solid references?
When looking for a trusted attorney, you should always start with your close friends and family. Do you know of an attorney who has helped you before and who is right for your specific situation? Likewise, you can also ask any lawyer you have had a pleasant experience with before if they know a good criminal lawyer they would recommend to you.
You can also do independent research on any attorney you find interesting. You can search for them on the Internet and see the results. Check the reviews they have, although be aware that some websites may have the ability to delete reviews, which will lead to selection bias, and therefore you will be back to square one.
4. Opt for a lawyer who has experience and connection to local courts
Having an experienced attorney who has worked in the state where the trial will take place and uses the laws of that state will be essential for a successful trial. Another thing you should ask is whether the lawyer in question is also familiar with the court in question, as most courts will have different procedures. Knowing the judge will also give you extra points, since the lawyer will know how he likes to handle things and what things he values. The connections and relationships a lawyer has in court is an often neglected aspect of choosing a lawyer and many people do not take a minute to consider how this could affect their case. So, take a moment and ask if they have worked at the specific court before and if they are familiar with the staff there.
5. Prioritize responsive attorneys
When you are facing criminal charges, every second feels like agony, and the worst thing you could have for your defense attorney is for him to be semi-absent. You want to know that your representative will always be there for you and that you can count on them for any problems you may have or any questions you may have. A good first impression should be based on how quickly they respond to your emails or phone calls, as well as how quickly they set up the initial meeting with your legal team. A good indicator should be whether the initial meeting takes place within 24 hours. The entire legal process can be very stressful for many people, so if your attorney is always there for you to communicate with, the entire endeavor will be much more painless.
6. Do you have solid experience?
Experience makes a difference in court. A lawyer with years of experience will always outperform a lawyer who is new to the business and therefore reach a much better verdict. Therefore, he should always review the track record of his potential attorney. His experience in criminal law should be his top priority, it makes no sense to hire a family law attorney, who has only recently switched to criminal law, for a defense case facing criminal charges.
This brings us to a valuable warning that you should keep in mind. More experienced lawyers are better at their jobs, as we have established, and this means they will also charge more for their services. This may seem overwhelming at first, but if you want quality, then you should be willing to invest more in the lawyer. It really depends on the severity of the criminal charges.
Some of the most important questions to ask your potential attorney are
How many years have you been in criminal defense?
What are the verdicts that your clients who were in your situation usually obtain?
How much experience do they have in cases related to your specific crime?
If they refuse to answer any of these questions or just give you vague answers, you should be aware that something is wrong.
7. Do you feel safe thinking that they represent you?
How do you feel when you imagine this person representing you in court? Does it make you feel calm? Does your confidence in him assure you that he will win? Knowledge of the subject, responsiveness and a great portfolio are very good things, but at the end of the day, you have to look at the human aspect of your lawyer. Do you think he has confidence in himself? You always want to choose criminal lawyers who are confident in their abilities and how persuasive they appear to the jury.
There are some good early indicators to know if the lawyer seems confident when you meet him. A firm handshake, direct eye contact, a calming voice, and maintaining proper posture are signs of an experienced attorney who knows what the client wants to see and, more importantly, what the judge and the jury want to see. If his behavior, his knowledge of the subject, or anything else makes you more nervous than before, he should change lawyers immediately.