Facing any legal case can be very distressful, so you want to make sure you have the support you need.

Finding a good criminal lawyer can make all the difference in you case. It’s worth taking the time to understand how the whole process will go, and a skilled lawyer will be able to walk you through the whole thing.

However, the quality of criminal lawyers can vary greatly. It’s vital that you find one you know you can rely on.

In this guide, we’ll go over how you can find a good criminal defense lawyer as well as the best practices for working with them. Keep reading for more.

Finding a Good Criminal Lawyer

The lawyer you work with will have a huge impact on the outcome of your case. Make sure you take a suitable approach to finding a lawyer that’s right for you.

Know Your Charges

Firstly, make sure you understand exactly what you’re being charged with. The better you understand your situation, the better you’ll be able to convey it to prospective attorneys when first meeting them. They’ll then be able to get an idea of how they can approach your case.

You want to make sure you’re open when having consultations. If you hide anything from a potential lawyer, it could have a negative impact later on. If you have an existing criminal record, make sure they’re aware of this too.

Explore Different Resources

It’s easy enough to head straight to Google when looking for a lawyer, but you can also explore other avenues. Referrals can be a good approach if you have any friends or relatives who have been in similar situations. They may be able to recommend a lawyer with whom they’ve had a good experience.

You can also go through state and local bar associations. They usually have websites that contain databases of local lawyers who could be suitable for you.

Third-party services are also available if you want to make things easier. They can help you find an ideal criminal defense lawyer based on your specific case.

Make Sure They Have Relevant Experience

When considering different lawyers, one of the most important things to do is make sure they have relevant experience. There are all kinds of fields of law, so you want to have a lawyer who specializes in the one that applies to your case.

Ask about their past experiences and what cases they’ve handled in the past that are similar to yours. You should also find out what kind of criminal defense strategies they’ll use for your case.

Bear in mind that you don’t just want to find out if they’ve worked cases like yours; you want to know what the outcomes were. Ideally, you’ll find a lawyer who has a solid track record of securing good outcomes for their clients.

Ask the Right Questions

When trying to ascertain the qualities of a lawyer, you need to ask the right questions. Some common examples can include:

  • Do you have a specific area of specialization?
  • How many years of experience do you have?
  • Have you defended this type of case before?
  • What is your billing structure (e.g., flat fee, retainer, etc.)?

These will help you understand what working with them is like. From this, you can also determine if they’re transparent about communication which is something else you want from a lawyer.

Best Practices for Working With a Criminal Lawyer

Beyond just finding a good lawyer, there are some things you want to do when working with them. This will help the whole process go smoothly and should ultimately lead to a better outcome.

Contact an Attorney as Early As Possible

Don’t wait around to find your lawyer. The earlier you secure one, the more help they’ll be able to offer you. Even at the earliest stages such as being restrained and interrogated, knowing you have a trustworthy lawyer in your corner can be immeasurably helpful.

It’s unlikely that you have a very in-depth knowledge of the law. You want to make sure you have someone who knows what they’re doing in your corner as early as possible.

Answer Their Questions Directly and Honestly

Your lawyer will have plenty of questions for you, and you need to be open and honest with your answers. You may want to give a certain impression so they think better of you, but if you don’t tell them everything they need to know, they won’t be able to build the strongest defense they can.

They aren’t expecting you to be perfect. Give them all of the information they need so that they can provide the best level of service.

Follow Their Advice

You might get a lot of advice from people around you about what to do in a difficult legal situation. It’s vital to remember that you should only be taking advice from people who truly know what they’re talking about. A lawyer has trained for these exact situations, so listen to them and do as they suggest.

Avoid Discussing Your Case With Other People

It may seem natural to talk to people around you about your case, but this can be a major mistake. It’s easy to let certain details slip that could be detrimental to your case. This can be especially true if the prosecution gets wind of anything you’ve said.

You can talk openly with your lawyer as conversations between attorneys and their criminal defendants are privileged and confidential. Outside of these, you should keep details of the case to yourself.

Finding the Right Criminal Lawyer for You

Having a good criminal lawyer can be one of the most crucial aspects of your case. Make sure you take the time to consider your options and find one who you can trust to secure the best outcome for you.

Kearney, Freeman, Fogarty & Joshi, PLLC is an experienced law firm that specializes in criminal defense, personal injury, and family law. We have over 30 years of experience helping clients in Northern Virginia and have a proven track record of success. Contact us for your free consultation today.