What to Look for When Choosing a Criminal Lawyer

Thurston Lopes • April 11, 2017

We all hope that we'll be fortunate enough to never need a criminal lawyer in our lives, but sometimes, a case comes against you and you need to have a strong lawyer on your side to both win the case and keep your freedom. However, finding a good criminal defense lawyer isn't something most of us have experience with, and different parts of the law can be tricky in criminal court. When you're facing those kind of penalties, though, you don't want to leave anything to chance. Here's what you need to look for. 


IS THE LAWYER A SPECIALIST?

This is perhaps the second-most important thing to consider when choosing your lawyer: Is this criminal lawyer in the Atlanta and Marietta area qualified to handle my criminal case? The law has so many specific parts and moving pieces that almost nobody can keep track of every single one of them, unless it's something that they do for a living. A lawyer who specializes in civil cases and bankruptcies might be excellent at those areas of the law, but he or she won't have the knowledge needed to beat an experienced prosecutor who knows the laws that apply and how to craft an argument around them.


A criminal case is not the time to worry about whether you have the stronger advocate speaking to the judge. If the facts are in question, the stronger argument is going to win, and you need to make sure that's coming from your side.


CAN YOU TRUST THE LAWYER AND FIRM?

The only reason a specialist isn't more important is the need for trust. If you can't trust your lawyer in private, why would you trust him or her with the most important case of your life? You'd be foolish to risk your freedom to someone you can't trust. Make sure that the attorney you choose has a good reputation and that you have a good vibe from the lawyer you'll work with on the case. If either of those aren't there, you need to look elsewhere.


Like any good relationship, a partnership of lawyer and client needs to be built on trust, and if you don't have it with your criminal lawyer in Marietta or Atlanta, your case isn't going to reach the end that you want. Finding the right lawyer is critical to winning whatever case you have, and in a criminal case, that's even more important. By taking the time to find a lawyer you know you can trust, you'll have a better chance at victory, so call us at The Lopes Law Firm.


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