How to Choose a Criminal Defense Attorney

Choosing the right criminal defense lawyer can make the difference between an acquittal and a conviction. When facing consequences such as incarceration, probation, and a criminal record, it is imperative to hire an attorney with the experience, knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to provide personalized representation.

Some questions to consider:

1. Do I trust this attorney to handle my case?

Perhaps the most important criteria when hiring a criminal defense attorney is, "Do I trust this attorney to handle my case?" Do not retain a criminal defense attorney that you consider a "Car Salesman in an Armani Suit". You must feel confident that your attorney will be available at a moment's notice to guide you through this traumatic ordeal while aggressively and creatively exploring all possible options, including motions and trial.

2. Should I hire the criminal attorney who quoted me the highest fee?

Not necessarily. The price of the criminal defense attorney does not always correlate to the level of service received. Many times, "high power, high price" attorneys devote all of their attention to only their most "prominent" clients. Consider hiring an attorney who will devote their full attention to your case. A criminal defense attorney should treat all their clients as priorities, regardless of the fee received.

3. Should I hire the criminal attorney who quoted me the lowest fee?

Probably not. Do not place your liberty in the hands of a "volume" attorney who will not devote the necessary time to adequately prepare your case. Oftentimes, "volume" attorneys quote minimal fees because they intend to plea out your case without exploring all possible motions or trial. Worse yet, many times these attorneys will withdraw from a case after taking an initial down payment. Do not be pennywise, pound foolish. You get what you pay for!

4. Does this attorney have any trial experience?

Surprisingly, the majority of criminal defense lawyers have little to no trial experience. Even if you have no desire to take your case to trial, your lawyer should portray the perception to the prosecutor that he/she is "trial-ready". Without the fear of going to trial, the prosecutor has no incentive to offer a favorable plea bargain.

5. Does this attorney have a good relationship with the State Attorney's Office?

Although not a requirement, it may be beneficial to inquire whether your attorney has ever worked as a prosecutor for the State Attorney's Office. Due to their high volume of cases and advanced motion and trial experience, former prosecutors typically are more equipped to handle complicated cases than other criminal defense attorneys. Carefully consider retaining a former Special Unit prosecutor who was previously assigned to a unit that handled the specific crime being alleged. These attorneys often have intimate knowledge of the statutes and law applicable to your case.

6. Does this attorney make any outrageous promises?

Be wary of an attorney who makes outrageous promises, especially one who guarantees that the State Attorney's Office will drop all criminal charges. Retain an attorney who informs you of all possible outcomes (including negative outcomes) rather than an unscrupulous one who highlights only the positive outcomes.

7. Will the attorney I speak with actually handle my case?

Occasionally, a partner will sign you up with the idea of passing the case on to an associate or a paralegal to handle the case. Specifically ask, "Will a partner from this firm be handling my case?" In this time of need, you want personalized, hands-on attention from an experienced attorney, not an associate or paralegal.

8. Does this attorney specialize in criminal defense?

You would not hire a podiatrist to perform open heart surgery. It is no different with criminal defense. Hire an attorney who dedicates their practice to criminal defense.

9. Do I want this attorney representing me in front of a Judge or Jury?

You would be surprised by the number of defense attorneys who appear for Court under-dressed, under-prepared, and outright unprofessional. In a Court of Law, Image is Everything! An attorney who wears jeans to work is fun to hang out with, but you do not want such an attorney advocating your case in front of a Judge or Jury.

To learn more about how we can help you, please contact us to arrange a free initial consultation. Our criminal defense lawyers serve the entire Fort Lauderdale area in Florida.