If you’re facing criminal charges, you could be up against serious jail time, steep fines, and a permanent criminal record. You could be in trouble if you don’t take things seriously and hire the right Riverside criminal lawyer to handle your case.
But with so many lawyers in the industry, how do you ensure you’re hiring the right criminal defense attorneys? More importantly, how do you even know what questions to ask them? Here are five crucial questions to ask your criminal lawyer before hiring them
1. How many years of practicing law?
The first question you should ask your potential criminal lawyer is how many years they have been practicing law. This will give you a good idea of their experience level and whether or not they are qualified to take on your case.
You should also ask about the lawyer’s success rate in similar cases. If they have a high success rate, they know what they’re doing and are more likely to get you a favorable outcome. On the other hand, if they have low success rates, it may be time to look for another lawyer.
2. Do you specialize in criminal defense law?
You want to ensure that the lawyer you’re hiring specializes in criminal defense law. Not all lawyers do. Furthermore, you want to make sure that the lawyer you’re hiring has experience with the specific type of case you’re being charged with.
For example, if you’re being accused of an assault, you want to ensure your lawyer has experience defending people against assault charges. The last thing you want is to hire an inexperienced lawyer who doesn’t know what they’re doing.
3. Have you represented clients with similar cases?
You want to ensure that your lawyer has experience with similar cases. After all, you wouldn’t want a divorce lawyer representing you in a criminal case. Furthermore, you want to know if your lawyer has taken cases to trial and the results. If they have significant trial experience, that’s a good sign.
4. What are your fees and costs?
No one likes to talk about money, but it’s important to know what you’re getting into before hiring a criminal lawyer. Be sure to ask about their fees and costs upfront. Find out if they charge by the hour or have a flat rate.
Also, ask about any additional costs you may be responsible for, such as court filing or expert witness fees. And finally, don’t be afraid to negotiate. Many lawyers are willing to work with you on their costs if it means you’ll be hiring them.
5. What is your case strategy/plan?
Your criminal lawyer should have a well-thought-out plan for your case. This plan should consider the specific facts and circumstances of your case and the applicable law. The lawyer should be able to explain the strategy to you in detail and answer any questions you have.
A good criminal lawyer can assess your chances of success based on their experience with similar cases. If you are found guilty, a good criminal lawyer can help with sentencing options and possible defences that may lead to an acquittal or reduced sentence. All that requires an excellent strategy to execute.
