If you have been arrested, you are probably scared. There are a lot of decisions to make and the first is, what should you do about your legal representation? There are some questions you should ask before hiring an attorney. Most law offices provide a free consultation so take advantage of that. The lawyers at Scott and Medling recommend you ask these questions.
- What is your experience with my kind of case? Like physicians, lawyers specialize in different areas of law. If you were charged with attempted murder, you need something different from someone who was charged with a DUI.
- What is their track record? How successful are they both at trial and with pleas? Most criminal cases are settled before going to court so you need to know if they are good at negotiating pleas. If you do plan to go to trial, how good are they at that? If you go to trial and lose you will end up with a longer sentence than if you make a plea.
- Are there alternatives in sentencing other than jail? Your lawyer may be able to make a deal that includes probation, work release, etc.
- How much will it cost? You need to know up front what to expect in fees but also in other costs such as the investigation. If law enforcement has experts who will testify against you, you need some on your site.
Being charged with a crime is no joke and getting the right lawyer for you and your case will make all the difference for you.