Being arrested or charged with a criminal offense can be one of the most stressful and scary moments of a person’s life. You see your life flash before your eyes, and possibly falling apart. As a result, marriages or relationships may end, you may be fired, and even lose your licenses (both driver’s and professional). That is why it is so important to know what to look for when hiring a criminal defense lawyer. You need an attorney who is willing to zealously advocate for you to get you the best resolution possible.
Do I need to hire a lawyer?
According to the latest data, there were a total of 842,055 arrests for all forms of crime in Texas for the 2017 calendar year. In criminal cases, it is often you vs. The State. Prosecutors working on behalf of the state have access to resources that the average person does not. Even if you’ve already been assigned a court-appointed lawyer, it may be in your best interest to seek alternate legal counsel. While there are some really great lawyers on the court-appointed lists, your assigned lawyer may not be the right fit for you. Your freedom and your reputation is on the line in a criminal case. You should seek alternate legal counsel if you experience any of the following:
- Difficulty getting ahold of your lawyer.
- Cannot get a returned phone call.
- The lawyer simply does not seem to care about you or the outcome of case.
The ideal criminal defense lawyer for your case understands that your charge is not just one moment. A criminal case can have lasting effects for the remainder of your life and can even affect where you are allowed to live.
How do I find the best criminal defense lawyer for me?
The relationship between a client and an attorney is closer than many people realize. In order to advocate for you, your attorney will need to know many details of your life. You will likely be discussing things with your lawyer that you have never told anyone else. For this reason, you need to be able to trust your attorney and feel comfortable sharing intimate details about your life.
Your lawyer should be able to articulate a plan of action to move forward with your case. We always start with reviewing the evidence the state or government has on the case. Additional investigation on our part may also be necessary. Experienced criminal defense lawyers can easily identify missing evidence that may be crucial to your case.
Always ensure you understand your lawyer’s fees. Some lawyers charge hourly, some charge per court appearance, and some lawyers charge a flat fee for all representation. Be sure you understand exactly how your lawyer will be charging you for your case.
Finally, does the lawyer and lawyer’s staff appear to genuinely care about you as a person. To our experienced criminal defense lawyers, you are never just a case. We strive to help make this period of your life less stressful and provide needed guidance on how the criminal charge may impact other areas of your life. We understand your criminal case does not occur in a vacuum, but can have far-reaching implications in other areas of your life as well.
Get recommendations from friends and family
You should always hire a criminal defense attorney that practices in the county you live in. If you have friends and family who have been through a criminal case, they likely have criminal defense lawyer recommendations. It is important that you trust and follow the attorney’s advice also.
Do your own research
There are several online resources aimed at helping people find legal counsel. Once you find an attorney in your area, visit the attorney’s website for more information about their practice. The attorney you choose should have extensive experience in criminal defense.
Schedule a consultation
You can contact The Carlson Law Firm 24 hours a day, seven days a week to schedule a free consultation. Our criminal defense attorneys offer free consultations for all criminal offense cases.
Prepare for your meeting
Once your consultation is scheduled, you should begin preparing for your meeting. During your consultation, you should be prepared to fill out paperwork describing your case and be ready to answer questions about your situation. Further, you should prepare for your meeting by:
- Write down questions you want to ask. This is important so that you don’t forget to ask questions you have during the consultation. After your consultation, you will likely have to pay for more advice or guidance.
- Gather important documents. It is important to disclose as complete of a story as possible. Gather documents like text messages, emails, photos, and other evidence so that you have it ready if and when it is needed.
Meet with your attorney
When you meet with your attorney it’s important to pay attention to how they treat you and how they treat their staff. In addition, pay attention to their confidence when they answer your questions. Their comfort with the law will indicate just how knowledgeable they are.
Meet Our Criminal Defense Attorneys
The Carlson Law Firm handles criminal charges in Bell, Coryell, Milam, and Lampasas Counties. Our criminal defense attorneys have the resources and know-how to get the best resolution for you.
Our attorneys are offering free virtual consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your legal needs do not need to be put on hold. If you are worried about a criminal charge or a recent arrest, contact us for a free consultation.
With Carlson, you’re never alone.
Facing a criminal charge is never easy, and the results of that criminal case can have lasting effects on many aspects of your life. If this is your situation, contact The Carlson Law Firm to find how we can help you. If you are in the Killeen or Temple area, we have a criminal defense lawyer who will be with you every step of the way. Our attorneys will explain the court process to you in a way that you understand. We will make sure that your voice is heard.
Our attorneys will ease the process. Contact us today to schedule a free phone or virtual consultation.
