San Diego Criminal Lawyer
No one plans on being arrested for a crime. It can be a very stressful and humbling experience. Things happen very quickly and you have to decide right away whether or not you want to hire an attorney. Your personal freedom is at stake, so if you have the means you should definitely hire a lawyer to help represent you.
San Diego Criminal Lawyer
The question becomes how do you go about finding a good San Diego criminal lawyer? It’s not like you have a ton of time to interview several lawyers before making a choice. But there are some steps you can take that will help you find the right criminal lawyer quickly and easily.
The first step is to narrow down the field. There are nearly 170,000 attorneys who are actively practicing law in the State of California. And even as you narrow your search down to San Diego County lawyers who specialize in criminal law, you can still be overwhelmed by the sheer number of legal eagles.
Your best bet is to narrow your search down to the specific crime you’ve been accused of. Criminal law encompasses many different types of crimes. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, for example, it’s best to search for a DUI lawyer. Likewise, there are attorneys who focus their practice on possession charges, violent crimes, and any number of different areas. The more specialized the attorney is in the particular crime you’ve been charged with, the better prepared he will be to represent your interests.
A lot of the time it comes down to money. Unfortunately, the best representation is usually the most expensive. But when your freedom is at stake, every penny is well spent. Most firms will offer some sort of payment structure for your defense and many firms will even do pro bono work, meaning they will take your case for no charge or for a minimum payment. A lot of big firms require their attorneys to take on a certain number of pro bono cases per year.
Another good way to find an attorney is through a referral. Almost everyone knows someone who is a lawyer. They may not specialize in the particular area you need help with, but the legal community is a surprisingly connected group. Chances are, your attorney friend will know someone they can refer you to who will at least be able to recommend a quality lawyer with the right qualifications to defend you.
It’s always a good idea to check the State Bar Association website for information on your attorney before you make a final decision. If there are any judgments or complaints against your lawyer, you will be able to find them there.
If at all possible, make a point to meet with your attorney before you make a final decision. Most lawyers offer free initial consultations where you can tell them your story and they can help you to understand what you are likely facing in terms of time, money and potential punishment.
The consultation also gives you a chance to get a feel for how well you think they will be able to help with your defense. Trust your instincts here. If you sense they don’t know what they’re talking about or if they seem to lack professionalism, chances are that a judge or jury might react the same way to them. This is a crucial time in your life. You don’t want to put your life in the hands of an incompetent attorney.
San Diego Criminal Lawyer
San Diego Criminal Lawyer
The question becomes how do you go about finding a good San Diego criminal lawyer? It’s not like you have a ton of time to interview several lawyers before making a choice. But there are some steps you can take that will help you find the right criminal lawyer quickly and easily.
The first step is to narrow down the field. There are nearly 170,000 attorneys who are actively practicing law in the State of California. And even as you narrow your search down to San Diego County lawyers who specialize in criminal law, you can still be overwhelmed by the sheer number of legal eagles.
Your best bet is to narrow your search down to the specific crime you’ve been accused of. Criminal law encompasses many different types of crimes. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, for example, it’s best to search for a DUI lawyer. Likewise, there are attorneys who focus their practice on possession charges, violent crimes, and any number of different areas. The more specialized the attorney is in the particular crime you’ve been charged with, the better prepared he will be to represent your interests.
A lot of the time it comes down to money. Unfortunately, the best representation is usually the most expensive. But when your freedom is at stake, every penny is well spent. Most firms will offer some sort of payment structure for your defense and many firms will even do pro bono work, meaning they will take your case for no charge or for a minimum payment. A lot of big firms require their attorneys to take on a certain number of pro bono cases per year.
Another good way to find an attorney is through a referral. Almost everyone knows someone who is a lawyer. They may not specialize in the particular area you need help with, but the legal community is a surprisingly connected group. Chances are, your attorney friend will know someone they can refer you to who will at least be able to recommend a quality lawyer with the right qualifications to defend you.
It’s always a good idea to check the State Bar Association website for information on your attorney before you make a final decision. If there are any judgments or complaints against your lawyer, you will be able to find them there.
If at all possible, make a point to meet with your attorney before you make a final decision. Most lawyers offer free initial consultations where you can tell them your story and they can help you to understand what you are likely facing in terms of time, money and potential punishment.
The consultation also gives you a chance to get a feel for how well you think they will be able to help with your defense. Trust your instincts here. If you sense they don’t know what they’re talking about or if they seem to lack professionalism, chances are that a judge or jury might react the same way to them. This is a crucial time in your life. You don’t want to put your life in the hands of an incompetent attorney.
San Diego Criminal Lawyer
