Don't just hire the first attorney you talk to. You might get bad results if you do not take the time to do some research. Do some research into any lawyer that you think could be right for you. Ask for a free consultation. Many lawyers will offer a free consultation, so you can have your questions answered. During the consultation, you can also see if you are comfortable with that lawyer. Always go to more than one free consultation so you have a good mix of lawyers to choose from. A great tip if you're thinking about hiring a lawyer is to make sure the lawyer you select answers all of the questions that you have. You don't want to pick a lawyer who can't give you a straight answer because you'll be left in the dark and won't know what's going on. You should agree on how much you will pay your lawyer before hiring them. Ask your lawyer for a quote after explaining what you need help with and sign an agreement. Do not hesitate to contact different lawyers so you can compare quotes and choose a lawyer you can afford. Lawyers are advocates for their clients. A lawyer may not say what you want to hear; however, they work for you and want a positive outcome to your case. Be sure to say so if your lawyer tells you something that makes you anxious or uncomfortable. A good lawyer should put your interests first, but understand that your lawyer likely has many other cases in addition to yours. Prior to hiring an attorney, do some research with your local bar association and look for complaints filed. The less complaints that have been lodged against them, the better. Anyone with large numbers of complaints should be given a wide berth. If you meet with a potential lawyer, and he or she states that they will absolutely win your case, thinking about looking elsewhere. There are no guarantees in life, no matter how clear cut a case seems. A good lawyer knows this, and as such, will not make promises they can't keep. There are many online services to help you find a local lawyer; however, don't choose a lawyer based on their recommendation alone. You'll still need to do some legwork, but you can schedule some promising consultations this way. While a high profile lawyer might be the promise of success you dream of, they might also be way too busy to deal with your case. This can either leave you in the hands of a less experienced lawyer at the firm, or alone at times when you need your lawyer. Look for the defendant (criminal case) with a balance of time and experience. You should never hire a lawyer from an advertisement that you have seen on television, seen in the phone book or heard on the radio. This is really no indication of how good of lawyer they are. Research the lawyer's legal background and read reviews from their peers to determine if they are right for you. Perhaps your general lawyer could refer you to someone more specialized that they know and trust. Every lawyer studies different aspects of the law, and you may find that a lawyer is a good person to ask about other lawyers out there. When you have a lawyer already, he'll want to keep you happy with great advice. Don't hire the first lawyer that you meet. You should meet with a number of lawyers to get an idea of how they operate. This is the only way that you will find one you are comfortable with. Don't ever settle for a lawyer that doesn't make you feel comfortable or you'll regret it. Finding a lawyer who is reliable and qualified could take some time. You have to do a ton of research to ensure you get the right representation. Use the tips you just read and be very picky when looking for your lawyer.
the defendant (criminal case)
