Being charged with a crime is no laughing matter. If you’re convicted, you could face years in prison. You need an attorney who will diligently work on your behalf and give you the defense you need to stay out of jail.
If you’ve been arrested for a crime, don’t talk to the police but instead insist on having an attorney present. Have your attorney or a loved one get you bailed out through the assistance of bail bonds York County PA or a bail bond service that’s closer to you.
Then when searching for the right criminal defense attorney, be sure to ask these questions.
Ask for Referrals
If the attorney is good at his job, then he won’t have any problem giving the name of two or three clients he’s recently helped that you can talk to. They’ll not only share what the attorney’s like, but they can also tell you what to expect and help you face what’s ahead.
Ask for an Inclusive Fee
Attorneys typically charge an hourly rate, but they can also be paid a lump sum or an inclusive fee instead. With an inclusive fee, you’ll know the total costs upfront, making it easier for you to gather the funds needed for your defense.
Ask About Payment Plans
When preparing your defense, your attorney won’t do all of the work at once, so you shouldn’t have to pay for it all at once. Ask your attorney if you can make payment plans. It will make it easier to raise money for your defense that way.
Ask Who You’ll Be Working With
It’s likely that your attorney won’t be the only person working on your case. If he’s going to pass your case onto one of the junior attorneys in his firm, then you need to know who that person is. What are the credentials of that attorney? Will you be speaking mostly with the junior attorney or with the attorney you first contacted? Make sure you know what you’re getting for your money.
Ask at the State Bar
Don’t just take the attorney’s word for his credentials or even those of his former clients. Check with your state’s bar association to see if any complaints have been filed against the attorney you’re considering hiring.
Having the right defense attorney could be the difference between spending years in prison or walking free, so make sure the attorney you hire can do the best job for you.
