If you have been accused of a crime or need legal advice prior to closing on a home or starting a business, you have the right to hire an attorney. For those who are facing a criminal charge, an attorney will be provided to you at no additional charge. What should you look for before choosing an attorney?
Look for Someone Who Cares
Someone who cares about your case is going to work as long as hard as it takes to get your case resolved in a manner that is favorable to you. Lawyers who care about their clients and their cases are not going to mind working 18 hours a day to make sure you get the representation that you need or slack off on your case simply because your lawyer happens to be the public defender and already has a lot of cases on his or her plate.
Find Someone Who Knows the Law
You need someone who understands the law and how to interpret it in a way that is going to be favorable to you. If you are facing a DWI charge, you don’t want an attorney who specializes in mortgage fraud cases to represent you in court. This is because an attorney who specializes in DWI cases will know how to craft a defense to your specific charge that will work the best.
Get Someone Who Has Name Recognition
In the courtroom, it is important that you have someone who the other side has heard of before. If your attorney has a reputation for being hard nosed and aggressive in the courtroom, you have an advantage before your case even begins. In fact, it may be possible to settle the case before it starts because the prosecution knows that your lawyer is more likely than not going to win the case.
Those who are in need of a lawyer should consult with a Virginia law firm or a firm in their area as soon as possible. Your attorney may be able to help you avoid serious criminal penalties such as jail time or a large fine that you might not be able to pay off for years.