If you are a loved one is charged with a crime, your first instinct may be to hire the first defense attorney you meet. After all, time matters in criminal cases. And the sooner your lawyer starts building your defense strategy, the more likely you are to receive a positive outcome.
But while that’s true, you still want to make sure that you choose the right person for your case. How do you do that? What do you look for?
Many defense lawyers offer a free consultation, so take advantage of this. Meet with several attorneys, and be sure to ask the following questions to help your decision:
Have You Won Cases Like This Before?
A lawyer’s degree and alma mater are important, but their track record matters a whole lot more – particularly in cases like yours. How many times have they been able to get their clients a not guilty verdict? How about having charges dropped or dismissed? Lowering charges and penalties?
A lawyer, for example, who specializes in assault cases and other violent crimes, may not be the best choice if you are trying to fight a DUI arrest. Look for a lawyer who has success handling the crime or crimes you were charged with.
What Did You Do Before Working as a Defense Lawyer?
Just like any profession, lawyers shift roles throughout their career to gain a wider perspective and improve their craft. Many lawyers have worked as district attorneys, judges, prosecutors, or in other useful roles. These experiences may be able to give them an inside look into what could you could be facing when you enter the courtroom – as well as how to argue your case to poke holes in the other side’s argument.
What Do Your Clients Have to Say?
Testimonials are a great way to get a feel for a lawyer’s strengths and personality. Testimonials can often be found on a lawyer’s website, or on listing sites like Avvo, Yelp, Google, or YellowPages.
What Is Your Honest Opinion?
Be open to what the attorney has to say about your case. Not every lawyer will have the same outlook. Some may want to focus on mitigating the charges. Others will argue for getting your charges dismissed. If you see your case ending with a certain result, it also may be hard to work with a lawyer who has a completely different vision. That being said, remember that you want an honest opinion – an attorney who promises you the moon may just be telling you want you want to hear to get your business.
How Do You Charge?
While defense lawyers are an investment in your future, you still want to know how much you will need to invest. Go through the methods each lawyer charges their clients so you are not stuck with any surprises after your trial is over.
Why You Should Choose Schlosser & Pritchett Law
If you have been charged with a crime in Greensboro, you may want to start and end your “lawyer shopping” with Schlosser & Pritchett Law.
Experience and education are the cornerstones of our mission. If you have never entered a courtroom or are unfamiliar with the legal process, you may feel extremely nervous or confused about what is ahead. Our attorneys do their utmost to make sure all of our clients understand what they’re up against, the potential options available to them, and how the process is going to work.
Schlosser & Pritchett Law has experience in criminal defense at both the state and federal level, as well as personal injury. Take us up on a free consultation to further discuss your case and your options.
About the Author:
Jan Elliott Pritchett is Managing Partner at the Law Firm of Schlosser & Pritchett and one of North Carolina’s top rated criminal defense attorneys. With a practice dedicated 100% to litigation, Mr. Pritchett protects the legal rights of clients who have been charged in federal and state criminal matters, as well as DUI/DWi, motor vehicle accidents, personal injury, and traffic violations. In practice since 1995, Mr. Pritchett has earned a reputation as a highly talented and fearless lawyer, being listed among the state’s “Legal Elite” and recognized as one of the Top 100 DWI Lawyers in North Carolina by the National Advocacy of DUI Defense. He currently serves as the Co-Chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Legal Specialization, Criminal Law Specialty, and Vice-Chairman of the North Carolina Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section.
