If you have been charged with a crime, a criminal attorney should be your first call. The challenge is finding one that will work hard to fight for your innocence and get the best and most desired outcome. There are no guarantees of what will happen inside of the courtroom. Ultimately, it will be a judge or jury who decides if the charges are dropped or you are convicted. What is certain is that an experienced lawyer can make a difference in how you spend the rest of your life
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When interviewing lawyers ask questions that go beyond the financial side of how much they charge and what the upfront retainer cost is. Here are some questions that you should ask:
- How long have you been practicing law? This will give you a good idea of their experience level, though it is not always a good indicator of whether or not they will fight for your rights.
- Have you handled cases like mine before? Find out if they have been part of a case where the charges were similar, what their approach was, and what the outcome was. If you were charged with a crime and they primarily practice divorce law, you should look for another lawyer.
- How do you approach criminal cases? This is a key question because it will give you insight into how they prepare for court and what steps they are willing to take. Listen carefully for examples that will demonstrate how actively involved they become in their cases. A good criminal attorney will spend time investigating the case, interviewing witnesses, and preparing a strong defense.
- What is your current case load and do you have trials scheduled around my trial date? If they have multiple cases going at one time, there could be conflicts with the court calendar. Find out if they have a backup and if that person will handle their other cases or yours.
The big key you need to look for during an interview is whether your criminal attorney will put in preparation time and investigate the case prior to going to trial. Learn what you can about their approach and techniques, whether or not they will interview the witnesses you supply, if they conduct background investigations into the information you provide, etc. This is extremely important because in order to have a good defense you need a lawyer that is willing and able to build a case. You don’t want a case that is based strictly on defense, but one that also incorporates an offense to prove your innocence or give the jury the doubt necessary to avoid a conviction.
If you have already hired an attorney and they are not doing these activities you may still have time to switch to a better criminal attorney. It is better to hire a new attorney before the trial that start the trial with one that is not fighting for your freedom. The Law Office of Paul R. Berko will fight for your rights, your freedom, and your future. For a consultation call, (516) 746-4211.
