Criminal Defence Solicitors - What You Should Know

Hiring the appropriate criminal defence solicitor can prove to be a trying task

. But when accused of a criminal offence it is wiser to hire a lawyer immediately lest you weaken the case. Nevertheless in spite of the time constraints one must keep certain prerequisites in mind while hiring a criminal defence solicitor.

It is advisable to take recommendations from friends or professionals such as doctors, social activists etc. In case a lawyer is not affordable the accused may qualify for free legal aid. The next step would be to personally meet the attorney or his or her staff, rather than have discussions over the telephone. When a meeting takes place with the attorney, taking all the important documents and contacts of people concerned with the case is a must.

Some vital inquiries have to be made during the meeting with the solicitor. He should have sufficient recent experience in dealing with similar cases. The attorney should have experience with jury trials and should be well-versed with arrangements for alternative sentencing.

Also, the solicitor should be asked to explain how he or she measures success. Everyone wants a win. But a win is different for different cases. At times a win may also mean a lesser charge. Also, an ethical attorney will neither use scare tactics while discussing a case nor disparage any other attorney.

As far as the fee is concerned, since nobody likes to pay legal fees, however small they may be, it is better to have a written agreement that mentions in detail the amount, mode and conditions of payment, along with what the lawyer and the accused expect from each other with their respective conditions in detail. Since a written agreement is reached, both parties are comfortable in their shoes and know their tasks.

It is always better to hire a lawyer who practises law in the same court or jurisdiction where the case is located, and has an office in the area. His familiarity with the judges, local personalities and practises can well affect how issues are resolved in the matter. Moreover this will also help to cut down on travel expenses.

After all the aforementioned has been done the safest thing to rely on is your intuition. Ask yourself if you are satisfied with the following: his explanation of the case to you, your faith in his experience, the ultimate goal of both the parties (which must be the same) and most importantly your ability to confide in him and work closely with him.

When charged with a criminal offence it is best to hire a criminal lawyer for the simple reason that the legal profession is such a huge pool with such a large amount of information that it is not possible for an attorney to have expertise in all the areas. Thus when one is in between punishment and freedom with nothing in between, certain compromises are best when avoided.

by: Tom Jones

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