Top Tricks and Tips On Hiring The Best Law Firm: Hiring a defense lawyer is something that needs thorough research. You will need a lawyer that has the right skills for your case.
You may feel pressured and overly anxious when facing a pending court date, but take your time and choose wisely. Nonetheless, take your time first to understand your case and the nature of charges you are facing. This will be the starting point when going out to look for a lawyer.
A good and reputable lawyer or law firm can make a huge difference. The right lawyer can ensure you get your freedom.
Do not settle for a good lawyer, do your research and find a great one. But finding the right criminal lawyer may seem like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Below are some tips that will help you find a great criminal law firm gold coast, to represent you.
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Look at the Law Firms Profile
To find a credible law firm, visit their website to view their case profiles. Particularly, check to see if they have handled cases similar to yours and have a look at their success rate. You can also sit down with the lawyers when you visit their offices and ask them about their past experiences.
A criminal defense lawyer who has worked as a public defender or prosecutor will be well qualified to work as your defense attorney. The more experience the lawyers have, the more expensive they will be. Depending on the severity of your charges, the cost may be a non-issue compared to the quality of the defense team that you will get.
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Consult your Friends and Family
Speak to your family and trusted acquaintances. There is no better way of getting to know a good law firm than word of mouth. Speak to former clients and hear what they have to say about the firm. Keep an open mind when talking, a few people may have some negative experiences, but you want a lawyer with more positive recommendations than bad ones.
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Law Firm’s Area of Specialization
While vast experience is good, ensure that the experience is in line with your criminal charges. If you decide to work with a big law firm, ensure they have a specialized department handling charges similar to what you are facing. Specialization means that the lawyers are up to date with all new legislation and are thus well suited to represent you.
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Look for a Law Firm that has Experience with the Local Courts
Each court has a different procedure and approach when handling cases. Prosecutors and judges all have unique ways of doing things. A defense attorney with a good working relationship with the local court will be of tremendous help to your case. Though often ignored, good connections help the attorney strategize your defense more appropriately without offending the judge or the prosecutor.
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Look at Online Reviews
Go through the LinkedIn profiles of the lawyer or law firm that you are interested in and look at their profile. Check their website for client reviews and testimonials. Do not forget to check other social media pages. These profiles will be a great insight into the attorney’s experience and competencies. Reviews from past clients will help shape your understanding of the law firm in question.
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Flexibility and Availability of the Legal Team at the Firm
Start gauging how responsive a law firm is from the first day you engage them. How swiftly do they answer their calls and emails? When facing criminal charges, you are desperate and eager to get things moving. It is important that your lawyer has the same attitude.
A good defense lawyer will be very thorough. They will ask you all the right questions and keep you posted at every stage of your case. Work with a law firm willing to adjust its schedule to give you the best defense possible.
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Check any Hidden Charges
A low price is not always an indication of a good deal. Let your lawyers explain all possible charges that you will incur before you sign a contract with them. Extremely low or high prices are a red flag. If an experienced lawyer charges a very low rate, it could mean that their success rate is low or they have hidden charges that will be added later. Very high charges could mean that a big law firm uses their well-established brand name to extort you. Look for reasonable legal fees.
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Consider the Size of the Law Firm
In most cases, the size of a law firm indicates the quality of services they offer. While this may be true as per their success rate, choose a law firm best suited for your facing charges. The severity and weight of your case should help you choose the right lawyers for you. If you go to a big law firm with a large pool of big clients, your case may end up being given to the young inexperienced associates if it is not one of the big cases. This may lower your chances of success even if you are working with a big law firm.
Look for lawyers who are confident in their job and passionate about the law. Be on the lookout for arrogant attorneys. An arrogant lawyer will fill your head with empty promises instead of building a strong defense based on the law. The ability to listen and make the client feel at ease is a plus for any lawyer. Such an attorney will clearly explain to you all your options while still being your legal advisor.
By: Kim Hemphry
About the Author:
Kim Hemphry is a passionate expert in the areas of Legal Matters, learning and education. She has been featured on over 50 leading Legal and education sites and is a modern thought leader in the field. More about her interests and articles on her site – http://kimhemphry.com/
