Being charged with a crime is a serious matter. You can face months or even years in prison. You can lose your job and have a criminal record making it harder to find work in the future. Finding a competent criminal defense attorney is vital to protect your rights.
Once you’ve been arrested, contact Lackawanna County bail bonds to get you out of jail. Then ask friends and family members for referrals for a good attorney. When you call different lawyers, ask them the following questions.
1. Do You Offer a Free Initial Consultation?
A good and competent lawyer should be willing to meet with you for half an hour for free. Meet the lawyer face to face before hiring him. Make sure you’re a good fit and that you feel confident in his ability to represent you.
2. Do You Charge an Inclusive Rate?
Paying a lawyer by the hour can get expensive. Fortunately, some criminal defense lawyers offer an inclusive rate that covers all the work the attorney does for you. With an inclusive rate, you know exactly what you’ll be charged.
3. Do You Offer Payment Plans?
Coming up with the needed money all at once can be difficult and financially devastating. You could lose your house or other valuable assets. Ask the attorney if you can make payment plans so you can get the defense you need and pay off that legal bill over a period of time.
4. What’s Your Main Practice?
You want an attorney who’s had many criminal defense cases. The more cases the attorney has won, the better that lawyer will be able to defend you. If the lawyer does mainly contract law along with a few criminal cases, find another lawyer.
5. How Long Have You Been a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Be sure to find out how many years the attorney has been practicing criminal defense law. You don’t want to be that lawyer’s first or even fifteenth case. You want one with plenty of experience, especially if you’re being charged with a serious crime.
6. Will I Be Working With You or Someone Else?
Many times, a lawyer will take on a case and then outsource the work to an associate. Ask who you’ll be working with and make sure that person is competent as well.
Being charged with a crime is a serious matter. Make sure you have the best representation to protect you.
