subject: How To Find A Great Criminal Lawyer [print this page] A criminal lawyer is prepared to go through the process of preparation for the trial, representing you in court and then assisting you afterwards. A criminal lawyer will explain the legal procedures of the case and communicate on your behalf in front of the judge. A competent, aggressive criminal lawyer is thoroughly educated in the legal process and has experience in taking cases into court for trial.
Many people who have been arrested waste valuable time trying to decide if they need representation, but the answer is simple. If you are scheduled to go before a judge after being arrested for a criminal offense, you need the professional skills of an experienced trial attorney.
Criminal Defense Attorney
When anyone is charged with a crime, the charge is only an accusation from state or local law enforcement until you appear in court, and everyone gets their day in court. The judge will decide if the evidence proves a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, so the charge or arrest is not a conviction. The attorney will have only the time from when the defendant is released from jail until the first court date to prepare the case whether it is not guilty or no contest.
Criminal lawyers defend such crimes as DUIs, DWIs, reckless driving, theft, possession(drugs), vehicular homicide, distribution, conspiracy, manslaughter, first or second degree murder, disorderly conduct, domestic violence, assault and more.
As soon as the defendant is released from jail, either on an ROR bond or an insurance bond, the first step is to find an experienced DUI/criminal attorney to represent them. The defendant has only the time between when they were released and their court appearance, to find the best criminal defense lawyer. If you were arrested for a DUI that was involved in an accident, then you need one of the best DUI lawyers Punta Gorda.
Steps to Find the Best Criminal Lawyer
There are thousands of criminal attorneys in the Central Florida area, and you need to find a criminal defense attorney that suits you. Here are ten steps to insure that you find an experienced DUI or criminal defense lawyer.
1. Search online for attorneys who defend the crime that you are charged with. If you are charged with a DUI, then search for a DUI attorney.
2. Narrow the search to those attorneys in your area.
3. Google the names of three or four of those attorneys, and examine their case history and professional history. What professional organizations do they support?
4. What percentage of their cases have they won?
5. Check the lawyers DUI reputation online at the National College for DUI Defense, or www.ncdd.org. Have they been mainly in litigation or were the majority of the cases plea bargains, which settled out of court?
6. Determine how you feel about a young attorney with more risk because they have less experience or a seasoned lawyer with a longer career. There are no rules; its your preference.
7. Dont be misled by slogans or catchy advertisements. When it comes down to it, you want a DUI lawyer who takes your case seriously.
8. Call for the free consultation, and meet the attorney in person. If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, excuse yourself and try another.
9. Make sure that the attorney has time to invest on your case. If they appear too busy, they probably are, and wont handle your case well.
10. Now that you have selected a professional DUI attorney, make all efforts to get any information that he/she requires to them in an appropriate amount of time.
