Guide in Choosing a Defense Attorney

When you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you have no choice but to seek legal counsel to represent you before the court. Finding Philadelphia criminal defense attorneys is tough though. Here are some things you need to keep in mind.

Choose a specific lawyer. Hardly any lawyer will cover a wide range of cases. Usually, a lawyer concentrated within a given field. Some concentrate on tax cases. Some focus on civil cases. Others deal with domestic crimes. So, look for a lawyer who has represented clients with similar cases as you have.


Seasoned lawyers are preferable. A reputable federal defense attorney in Philadelphia has enough experience, which is an advantage on your part. But his services would cost much more than the services of a new lawyer. Those who cannot afford private legal representatives can go for public defenders. The court may provide you with a public attorney, but his time and effort for the case may be deficient. He may have other clients too.

Seek lawyers from known organizations. Groups like NACDL (National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers) have a list of lawyers with substantial experience in handling criminal cases. They are your best bets.

Check out law firms. You may be phoning friends to provide you with recommendations, but you may only be dismayed. Instead, you can search for criminal law firms, which can provide the right legal counsel for you.

Do not hesitate to ask questions. What questions should you be asking? Well, ask who's going to handle your case. Would he be handling the case personally or would he send an assistant lawyer to handle the case instead? Also, do not be afraid to ask about the number of cases he has won. Good lawyers would not hesitate to tell you the correct figures.

Trust lawyers who tell what they can do with your case. If their introduction is charges and fees, head for the door and look for another criminal defense attorney. Good attorneys do provide free advice.

Ask about the charging schemes. Lawyers have different ways of charging for their services. Some charge fixed payments, while others charge on an hourly basis. At the same time, many lawyers also pass on expenses on paperwork to you. Make sure that payment schemes are clear from the beginning.

There is no such thing as the best lawyer in town. Lawyers should not brand themselves as the best. They may have won all their cases, but that does not mean they are appropriate for you. The most reliable means to know if a lawyer can work for you is to meet them personally at first. See if you are comfortable with them.

Do a background check. Phone former clients of the lawyer and ask them how that lawyer dealt with them and their cases. There is nothing more compelling than testimonies from real people, not claims on a website. You can also look up the lawyer's name online. See if there is anything bad about him there.

Keep in mind that a defense lawyer will not necessarily ask the court to clear you of all charges. If the evidence is forceful, the lawyer may ask the court to lower charges against you. In many cases, evidence can be challenged, and that is why criminal court cases can run for so long.

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