How Do I Know a Criminal Defense Lawyer is Right for Me?
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, it is important that you start working with the right criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. But what constitutes the “right” criminal defense lawyer? The right criminal defense lawyer for you depends more on your circumstances, rather than the lawyer’s qualifications, but his or her qualifications should be considered. Ask yourself the following questions after each meeting with a potential lawyer.
Does your Lawyer have Experience Working with Clients Facing your Specific Charge?
Not all criminal defense lawyers are the same. Some focus solely on DUI or municipal offenses and others work with clients facing more substantial charges, like murder and rape. Work with a lawyer who has experience defending clients facing the same specific charge you are facing. This is beneficial for the following reasons:
- He or she knows all the laws applicable to your case;
- He or she knows all the potential penalties you are facing;
- He or she may have a professional network who can provide insight to your charge and your defense; and
- He or she has had success with your type of case in the past.
Past success does not guarantee a success for you, but a past success does indicate competence.
Does your Lawyer have Knowledge of the Court where your Case is being Handled?
This is an often overlooked factor. When you are trying to find the lawyer who can best represent your case, it is often in your best interest to work with a lawyer who has experience with the court where your case is being handled. Why is this important? Because despite the state and federal laws being identical from court to court, the day-to-day procedures can vary between courts. The individuals in each court, such as the judge or the prosecutor, also may have their own idiosyncrasies that a local lawyer knows how to work with. For example, some prosecutors might plead just before trial while others opt to negotiate with lawyers in advance of the defendant’s trial.
Is your Lawyer Open and Available to you?
Finally, do you feel like he or she is somebody you can speak to openly? If you feel you cannot communicate with your lawyer easily, whether this is due to his or her personality or how he or she operates the firm, find a lawyer who you can speak with easily. Communicating through a paralegal can cause your messages to get “lost in translation.”
Work with an Experienced Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are facing a criminal charge in Miami, shop around before you commit to a specific criminal defense lawyer. It is important that you find a lawyer who makes you feel comfortable and can handle the type of charge you are facing. To determine if working with a criminal defense lawyer from Ratzan & Faccidomo, LLC is right for you, contact our firm to set up your free legal consultation in our Miami office.
