If Tallahassee-area law enforcement officers charge you with a criminal offense, you’ll probably feel a bit apprehensive, if not terrified, should the charges carry significant prison time. To ease that apprehension, you should hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can increase the likelihood of securing a positive legal outcome. But how does one seek out a great defense lawyer? What factors does somebody need to consider before hiring a lawyer?
With expertise defending Tallahassee-area defendants charged with felonies and other criminal offenses, attorney Zach Ward of Cowhey + Ward Attorneys at Law knows what qualifications, qualities, and experience mark a defense lawyer’s potential for courtroom success. He also understands the stress defendants undergo while trying to successfully resolve their charges. As such, Zach has some tips on what to consider when seeking the best criminal lawyer for your defense needs.
Start Your Search
Finding a criminal defense lawyer in the Tallahassee area is as easy as typing “criminal defense lawyer near me” in your Internet search engine. More than 200 attorneys practice criminal law in Tallahassee and the surrounding area, so your Internet search will provide plenty of results, and Google will give you reviews. Explore these results to narrow down criminal lawyers who appear to have successful experience handling cases like yours. You can refine this search by reviewing legal websites that have attorney referral services, profiles, reviews, and ratings. Start with the Florida Bar to ensure that your prospective attorney is a member in good standing, and then check out sites like Avvo, Martindale, and Lawyers.com.
Interview Prospective Criminal Defense Lawyers
Once you’ve narrowed your search, you should meet your top prospects to assess their competence and criminal defense strategies. Many law firms and sole practitioners offer clients a free initial consultation, and you should treat such as an employee interview because you will be hiring them for a critical job.
During your consultation, provide your prospective attorney with as much information about your criminal case as possible. Given case details, an experienced criminal defense lawyer should be able to tell you how they would strategize an effective defense against your charges. Other information you should try to glean from your initial Internet search and/or interview is:
- How long they’ve been practicing criminal law.
- Whether they’ve successfully defended clients with similar charges.
- How they communicate with clients.
- All possible legal options.
- Best- and worst-case outcomes of your case.
- The most likely outcome should the case go to trial.
- How much will this cost, and whether it’s by flat rate or hourly fees.
Should your prospective lawyer provide positive responses to your queries and seem to have a robust defense strategy, you may have found the right attorney for your criminal defense.
Other Considerations in Choosing a Defense Lawyer
You will want to assess three other factors further when choosing the right criminal defense lawyer: communications, potential time constraints, and passion. Communication is critical in the legal field. You might want to find another lawyer If your prospective attorney cannot clearly explain the legal ramifications of your charges and possible defense strategies to resolve them. If they can’t effectively communicate with you, they may struggle to communicate in the courtroom. A skilled communicator will strive to ensure that you understand all elements of your legal situation before you leave their office.
Potential time constraints are significant because you probably don’t want to hire a defense lawyer overwhelmed with clients and caseloads. During your initial consultation, ask about their current workload and whether they can devote their full attention to fighting your charges.
You want a passionate criminal defense lawyer who will dedicate themselves to securing a positive outcome from your criminal charges. During the consultation, compassion should become apparent in how they relate to you. If they express interest in how the charges might affect your life and enthusiasm for developing an effective defense strategy, great. However, if at all bored or disinterested in the details of your case, move on.
How Much Will Your Defense Lawyer Cost?
The cost of legal services is undoubtedly a top concern for you. Defense lawyers typically base their fees on different factors, including experience, success rate, case complexity, and company overhead.
Naturally, a lawyer with 20 years of experience and notable courtroom success can—and will—charge far more than a lawyer just getting started. Due to overhead, lawyers at big firms typically charge more than small firms.
Before hiring an attorney, discuss how much their services might cost. Depending on the complexity of your case, your prospective lawyer may not be able to estimate the cost of their legal fees but should be able to provide you with a broad range. Read the Florida Bar’s consumer pamphlet on lawyer’s fees for more information on legal costs.
Turn to Cowhey + Ward for Expert Criminal Defense in Tallahassee
Zach Ward of Cowhey + Ward has a stellar record of success defending Tallahassee-area clients against serious criminal charges. Zach thoroughly reviews all elements of each client’s case to strategize a proactive defense steered toward a positive outcome. To learn how Cowhey + Ward will strategize your criminal defense, contact our Tallahassee-based office today at (850) 222-1000.