If you or a loved one has been charged with a criminal offense in Montgomery County, it is imperative that you hire an attorney. One of the most important decisions you will make when hiring an attorney is determining who will be handling your case. To help mitigate this decision, we have put together a list of five qualities you should look for when choosing the lawyer who will represent your interests in court.
Legal Fees
Legal fees are necessary to cover the cost of the defense of your case. Many criminal cases attract fees for attorneys’ fees, which are based on both the time spent on a case and the value of any settlement reached. Even if you pay these fees from your pocket, you mustn’t choose a lawyer that will charge you more than what it costs to represent yourself in court. Choosing a lawyer with too high of an hourly rate may defeat the purpose of having an experienced attorney represent you in court.
Experience
The more experience a lawyer has, the better they will handle your case. An experienced attorney will be able to handle your case more quickly and efficiently than an attorney with less experience, as they have handled similar cases in the past. Ideally, you should look for an attorney who has handled cases similar to yours in the past. You should also consider looking into how long they have practiced law and their overall experience in criminal law.
Qualifications
It is essential that any lawyer that handles your case has met the qualifications and requirements to practice law in your jurisdiction. You should ask the lawyer if the state bar association has ever disciplined them, have they taken any legal education courses, have they attended any continuing legal education courses, and do they know the laws and procedures in your jurisdiction.
Possible Outcomes
Before you pick out a lawyer, you should ask them about the possible outcomes of your case. You should know whether it is likely that any plea bargains will be offered or if it is likely that the prosecution will offer a reduction in sentence.
Client Reviews
A good way to determine the quality of a lawyer is by checking out reviews online. Many online review sites will rank attorneys based on the number of clients who have written about their experience with their lawyers. Although these reviews are not always accurate, and the lawyer’s rating may not be based on experience, reading the reviews is still a good way to understand what a particular attorney is like.
By looking for these qualities when searching for a lawyer, you can be sure that you are hiring an experienced attorney who will defend your interests in court. Search today for the best criminal lawyers in Montgomery County, PA to defend your rights!
