When you have been charged with a crime, it is imperative that you hire a qualified criminal defense attorney. Each state has different rules and regulations for how an attorney can represent clients before the court, but generally, attorneys who practice criminal law are legally permitted to work both for and against the state. Hiring the right Attorney can make all of the difference in your life – either you will be paroled from prison or released on bail pending sentencing.
In this article, we will talk about what to look for when hiring a defense attorney, as well as some examples of qualified attorneys for each type of defense. Consider these guidelines when searching for someone to help improve your chances with any charges filed against you.
As the state’s Attorney, the prosecutor gives you a certain amount of points to “win” your case. The difference between a conviction and a slap on the wrist can be only one or two points, so it is best to build up your case with these points early. If you have been charged with crimes that are on the minor side and/or don’t qualify for harsher penalties (such as additional jail time) – then state attorneys are likely going to bat for you in court.
If you have been charged with serious charges, then you will have to make sure that your Attorney is going to do whatever it takes to win your case. While your Attorney cannot necessarily lie in court, he can do a lot to win your case by appealing to the judge or jury. Consider the following qualifications:
You should always make sure that your Schaffer Carter Kennedy & Mays Attorney has experience in winning cases for clients facing similar charges. Take time to research him and his past cases by talking with other attorneys as well as reading up on them. If you find that he is not experienced enough for such a specific type of defense, then you might want to consider looking elsewhere.
It is also important that your Attorney has a familiarity with most judges and prosecutors in your area so that he doesn’t waste valuable time trying to build up relationships while you are waiting for trial. Even if his past work does not include convictions, he should know the judges in your area, what type of cases they are likely to take and how long they may take to resolve.
This will also be useful when making a plea bargain with the state. State attorneys know how to gain concessions from defendants and will usually play hardball with them, but if you’ve got a lawyer that is good at making deals, then you stand a better chance of getting a reduced sentence in exchange for your guilty plea.
To sum it up – when you are hiring an attorney, make sure that he has experience in similar cases and is familiar with most judges and prosecutors in your area, as well as your chances of winning/losing at trial.