Are you facing criminal charges?

First, you’re not alone. Thousands of people in America are face criminal charges every year, and about 58 percent of felony defendants in America’s 75 largest counties secure release before their cases are adjudicated.

Second, even if your case goes all the way to trial, you can still get a favorable result. The secret lies in hiring a criminal defense attorney who will formulate a formidable defense strategy.

The problem, though, is finding the right attorney. With so many of them around, how will you sift through their profiles and pick out the best?

Read on to know how.

Put Experience First

Most people make the mistake of giving greater priority to an attorney’s educational background. Well, it’s certainly procedural to know whether your attorney came top of his class, but when it comes to criminal defense, trial experience is key.

As long as an attorney is licensed to practice in your state, it means they have already met all the educational requirements. Go straight to their experience.

How many years have they practiced criminal law? How many criminal cases have they won? How many have they lost?

Ideally, you want someone who has been in practice for at least 10 years and has won more cases than he has lost. Be careful not to focus on just the number of wins, because a lawyer who has won 10 cases but lost 8 doesn’t offer you any real hope.

Look for a Criminal Defense Attorney Who Has Handled Cases Like Yours

Criminal law is a vast legal field.

There are misdemeanors (less serious offenses like petty thefts and traffic violations – typically carry fines or no more than 1 year behind bars). There are also felony crimes, which are serious offenses like murder, drug and human trafficking, rape, and robbery. Depending on the nature of the crime and the laws of the state in which it was committed, a felony can earn you up to a lifetime in jail.

When hunting for a criminal defense attorney, focus on finding one who’s familiar with the charge you’re facing.

If you’re facing rape charges, for instance, it’s a waste of time choosing a criminal defense attorney who has spent most of his professional life defending drunk drivers and other traffic violators. Settle on someone who has handled rape cases for most of his professional life.

Reputation Matters

Beyond professional experience and field of specialization, you always want to look for a criminal defense attorney with a solid reputation.

A lawyer builds a reputation not only by winning cases in court, but also by maintaining good relationships with his clients. You don’t want to work with an attorney who will trick you into thinking he will be working on your case fulltime, yet he intends to hand it over to an associate. Reputable lawyers keep their word.

How do you determine whether a lawyer is reputable?

Go online and dig up reviews. If they have a habit of shortchanging their clients, count of frustrated clients to go online on leave negative reviews. Trusted San Antonio criminal defense lawyer have positive reputations.

Take Action

It’s an emotionally challenging time when you’re facing a criminal charge. Depending on the nature of your crime, you could be facing several years in prison or hefty fines. But with a competent, reputable criminal defense attorney on your side, there’s a good chance you’ll reach a favorable outcome.

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