Three Topics To Discuss When Hiring A Criminal Attorney

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Three Topics To Discuss When Hiring A Criminal Attorney

18 January 2016
 Categories: , Blog


Having a brush with the law can be unnerving, especially if you're new to the experience. However, having a skilled criminal attorney in your corner can make you feel much more comfortable about a positive resolution to your legal situation. It's valuable to hire a criminal attorney as quickly as possible, although you shouldn't rush the process because it's important to find the right attorney for your case. You'll likely find yourself talking to a few different attorneys to discuss how their credentials will suit you. During these discussions, be sure to cover these three crucial topics before you decide which attorney to hire to represent you.

Likelihood And Outcome Of A Plea Agreement

Given that you'll want to hire a criminal attorney who has handled past cases that share similarities with yours, you can benefit from asking about the chance of a plea agreement being reached. Criminal cases are often settled with a plea agreement to avoid lengthy court cases with unpredictable outcomes. Short of being fully exonerated, think about the plea agreement that could suit you. Would you pay a fine? Settle for community service? By talking about this topic with the attorney, you'll be able to get a sense whether a plea agreement is likely and, if so, what its outcome could look like.

Courses And Programs

An experienced criminal attorney can advise you about any courses and programs in which your immediate membership would be valuable. For example, if you've been charged with an assault, the attorney might recommend that you sign up for an anger-management program. For a drug case, it's sensible to get into a rehabilitation program as soon as possible. Getting this advice is valuable because your attorney will be able to present these facts in court to show that you're accepting responsibility for any mistakes you may have made, and you are taking steps to avoid similar situations in the future.

Using Experts

It's useful to talk to the criminal attorney about the network of experts that he or she uses to strengthen clients' cases. Ideally, you'll want to hear about reputable people who can meet with you to support your case. For example, a respected psychologist who can attest to your personality profile can prove a valuable tool for your defense. The attorney should be able to suggest a group of experts and also explain how he or she will use them to help you out.