Have you been arrested for a crime? If yes, it is more likely that you will end up seeking the help of a learned criminal defense lawyer, especially when your liberty is in danger. An experienced and reputed lawyer can explain the defendant’s rights in every stage of the legal procedure and make the difference between a jail sentence and dismissal or a reduced plea bargain.
Why Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney
Being charged with a criminal offense comes with serious consequences including financial penalty and imprisonment. Furthermore, such a charge may ruin your personal relationship and put an end to your professional career. Some legal matters are easy to handle without any lawyer’s intervention but for more serious cases, seeking legal advice from a criminal defense attorney in Orlando, FL makes sense. Only a qualified lawyer can defend your case, protect your rights and ensure the best possible outcome.
A criminal defense lawyer can help someone facing criminal prosecution understand:
- The nature of the lawsuit
- Available defenses (if any)
- Possible plea bargains to be offered
- Expectation after conviction or trial
What to Consider Before Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
A criminal defense attorney manages different types of criminal cases, including misdemeanors, white-collar crimes, felonies, drug charges and many other federal and state crimes. If you are looking for a criminal defense lawyer, it’s important to consider the skill, experience, reputation and fees of the professional before hiring his service.
Depending on the nature of the charge against you, it’s important to engage an attorney who has the required skill and experience to defend your case. You should hire someone who is familiar with investigating at the crime scene, interviewing victim/police/witnesses and possesses in-depth knowledge of sketches, photographs, polygraphs and video.
Criminal laws, as well as penalties, vary from one state to another. Therefore, it’s important to hire someone who is familiar with the local and state rules in this regard.
How to Find a Criminal Lawyer to Defend Your Case
You can find a good criminal defense lawyer in several ways. Ask for referrals from your family and friends. Online research can also offer you some help. The problem is many with a criminal charge don’t like others to know their plight and therefore, are reluctant to talk to their friends or extended family members.
What You Should Ask a Criminal Defense Attorney
Before engaging a lawyer to deal with your case, it’s important to make sure that you feel comfortable while talking to the person. Here are some important questions to ask your lawyer before hiring him:
- How many cases have you handled similar to mine?
- How much of my case will you handle?
- How often do you ask for a lesser punishment or plea agreements?
- What is your fee? How is it calculated? Do you have any payment plan?
- Are you willing to provide referrals from your clients?
Summing It Up!
If the criminal charge is proved, you will end up facing several hazards such as, jail sentence, penalty, ruined career, broken relationship and mental stress. That is why, instead of handling the case on your own, contemplate talking to a lawyer who can offer legal help to rescue you from the problem.
