subject: Choosing Your Criminal Defense Attorney [print this page] Being accused of a serious crime can be terrifying: especially if this is the first time you've ever been through an experience with the justice system and/or if you are innocent of the charges being brought against you. When you are forced to put your future in the hands of justice, you want the best criminal defense attorney at your side to look out for your interests, and indeed perhaps even your very life. Here are some tips for choosing the one that's right for you.
--Go with experience: A good criminal defense lawyer will have a long and successful record of defending people who were in situations similar to yours. If you've been accused of sex crime, seek out a sex crimes specialist; if you are facing drug trafficking charges, find an attorney who is expert in this area. The more specialized experience you have on your side, the better.
--Good word of mouth: Sometimes the best recommendation for someone's excellence in his profession is positive word of mouth within your own community. If you know someone who has had a good experience with a lawyer or if you've read or heard good things about him, that's a great place to start. A personal recommendation should never be the only criterion for selection, however.
--He should speak your language: With the huge influx of Spanish-speaking immigrants coming into the United States, there is a greater need for more bilingual lawyers than ever. When your life is on the line, you don't need to also be dealing with a language barrier. If you were not born in this country and feel more comfortable communicating in your native tongue, choose an attorney who can speak to you in your language of choice and clearly explain your options and his strategies for your defense.
--Do some online searching: You can find out a lot about a lawyer by visiting not only his own website, but also researching what others have to say about him. Is he a member in good standing with reputable criminal defense associations? Has he been disciplined in the past by the state bar? You want one who is completely on the up and up and well-regarded within his profession.
Finally, choose someone whom you get along with; you will be spending a lot of time together and you want to feel comfortable knowing that the criminal defense attorney in charge of defending you is someone you can trust.
