When choosing representation by a private criminal defense attorney it is important to know what to look for. The reality is that you will probably not use the same person who handled your will or helped your aunt in her car accident claim. This article will discuss elements to look for in a private criminal defense attorney.
Attorneys who deal with wills, buying a house or car accident matters are civil attorneys. However, when it comes to criminal cases what you need is an attorney who specializes in criminal law. It must be noted though that in small towns you may have no choice but to hire a lawyer who practices both civil and criminal law.
That being said, a private criminal defense lawyer tends to practice in their own or in small partnerships and in a specific geographic location. Generally, private defense lawyers have several years of experience working for the government before they choose to go into private practice. They may have worked as a prosecutor -that is a district attorney or city attorney- or as a public defender.
When deciding on which law firm and/or attorney to represent you in your criminal case, it is of the utmost importance to try and hire an attorney with experience in the courthouse where your case is pending. While the same laws may be in effect throughout a state, procedures vary from one courthouse to the next. As a result, it is important to use local attorneys. Some advantages of using local attorneys include the following:
- Differing of county rules – local attorneys will be aware of the rules that apply in their county
- Foreknowledge of prosecutors – defense attorneys in one county may know which prosecutors are more likely to plead right before trial or those who will negotiate in advance
- Local attorneys may know the police officers and how they perform in court before juries
- Local attorneys have experience with local procedures and personnel
Another important aspect to be taken into consideration when choosing a defense attorney is their experience with the crimes charged. The attorney must have experience in representing defendants charged with the same or very similar offenses. The reality is that modern criminal law is very complex, as such many lawyers specialize in particular types of offenses. For example, a defense attorney may specialize in drunk driving, another in white collar crimes, etc. Therefore, it is appropriate for a defendant to enquire about the attorney’s experience during the initial consultation.
Another key element that is needed when looking for a criminal defense attorney to represent you is that they must be someone you are personally comfortable with. Does this sound petty? Maybe, but the reality is that a defendant’s lawyer speaks for the defendant. As such, the best attorney-client relationships are those in which clients are full partners in the decision-making process and therefore, defendants should try to hire lawyers who see them as partners and not case files.
For legal advice and representation in criminal and DUI violations in the Van Nuys courthouse, contact top Van Nuys criminal attorneys .
