Facing any kind of criminal charge is a serious matter. A conviction for a serious offense can result in significant jail time. Even convictions for relatively minor offenses, such as driving infractions, can result in license suspension and other complications.
One thing you can do to minimize the risks of charges having lasting implications is to have a criminal defense attorney on your side. What should you look for in a criminal defense attorney?
Levels of experience
While everyone has to start somewhere, inexperience is not really something you want in a criminal defense attorney. When the stakes are so high, you want someone who has been to trial before and succeeded in obtaining favorable outcomes for clients facing all kinds of charges.
While all attorneys are well-educated, the experience of being in a courtroom and dealing with live cases cannot be bought. It takes time to build up these levels of experience. One of the first questions to ask a prospective criminal defense attorney is how much experience they have.
Levels of availability
While it’s a good sign if an attorney is in demand, they should not be overworked. At the end of the day, the outcome of your case is what matters most to you. You should make sure that your attorney answers phone calls or at least gets back to you when they say they will. Facing criminal charges is stressful enough, without worrying what is going on with your defense.
The knowledge, experience and attention to detail that your criminal defense attorney possesses can make all the difference in your case. Seeking legal guidance about your charges is the first place to start.