Tips for Choosing the Best Criminal Defense Attorney
Selecting the wrong attorney to defend you in a criminal case can be devastating to your future.
We encourage you to choose carefully.
Here are three tips for comparing the credentials of criminal defense attorneys in San Francisco.
Tip #1: Compare experience There are three ways to evaluate lawyer candidate experience, and you should consider all three: • Years of practice.
There is a big difference in the kind of representation you can expect from a lawyer with one year of experience versus a lawyer with decades of experience.
A more seasoned lawyer draws from previous court experiences to quickly adapt to new situations.
• San Francisco area experience.
Many years of practice is important, but make sure that experience is in the geographical area of your trial.
A criminal defense attorney in San Francisco is far more prepared to meet a Northern California client's needs, providing a strategic advantage in the courtroom by knowing the judges and prosecutors involved in your case.
• Subject matter experience.
There are over a hundred legal practice areas, each with hundreds or thousands of laws and procedures unique to that practice area.
Narrow your selection to those who are solely criminal defense attorneys.
Tip #2: Compare principle and style These traits are harder to objectively measure, but they are important to the success of your attorney-client relationship.
Things to consider regarding a San Francisco criminal defense attorney's principles and communication style include: • Active case involvement.
A strong defense is difficult to achieve without a San Francisco criminal defense lawyer's personal and direct focus throughout your case.
Choose a lawyer who stays actively involved and in close communication until the case is resolved.
• Integrity and compassion.
Choose an attorney that treats you respectfully-like the paying customer that you are.
You deserve to work with an attorney who genuinely cares about you and understands that your future is at stake.
• Responsiveness.
Choose a lawyer with a reputation for acting immediately with a strategy and implementation plan and for responding promptly to messages.
This is no small consideration when your future hangs in the balance.
Tip #3: Compare track records As we pass through life, we affect the lives of others.
When choosing between criminal defense attorneys, look at their history and ask yourself if their performance in other cases builds your confidence in them.
Considerations include: • A solid reputation.
Review past cases to see who has previously entrusted their litigation and representation to the lawyer.
Look for any peer awards or recognitions, such as selection as a Super Lawyer or if the lawyer is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, which represents the highest levels of professionalism and ethical standards.
• Courtroom Success.
Only choose an attorney whose experience includes proven trial and case successes.
No ethical firm will guarantee results, but if an attorney cannot or will not tell you how many cases he or she has won, and in what type of defense, there may be a good reason.
Ask candidate firms for examples, and note how quickly and confidently they respond.
After comparing each candidate lawyer's track records, principles, and experience, you will have greatly improved your chances of making a smart choice in whom you select as your criminal defense attorney.
We encourage you to choose carefully.
Here are three tips for comparing the credentials of criminal defense attorneys in San Francisco.
Tip #1: Compare experience There are three ways to evaluate lawyer candidate experience, and you should consider all three: • Years of practice.
There is a big difference in the kind of representation you can expect from a lawyer with one year of experience versus a lawyer with decades of experience.
A more seasoned lawyer draws from previous court experiences to quickly adapt to new situations.
• San Francisco area experience.
Many years of practice is important, but make sure that experience is in the geographical area of your trial.
A criminal defense attorney in San Francisco is far more prepared to meet a Northern California client's needs, providing a strategic advantage in the courtroom by knowing the judges and prosecutors involved in your case.
• Subject matter experience.
There are over a hundred legal practice areas, each with hundreds or thousands of laws and procedures unique to that practice area.
Narrow your selection to those who are solely criminal defense attorneys.
Tip #2: Compare principle and style These traits are harder to objectively measure, but they are important to the success of your attorney-client relationship.
Things to consider regarding a San Francisco criminal defense attorney's principles and communication style include: • Active case involvement.
A strong defense is difficult to achieve without a San Francisco criminal defense lawyer's personal and direct focus throughout your case.
Choose a lawyer who stays actively involved and in close communication until the case is resolved.
• Integrity and compassion.
Choose an attorney that treats you respectfully-like the paying customer that you are.
You deserve to work with an attorney who genuinely cares about you and understands that your future is at stake.
• Responsiveness.
Choose a lawyer with a reputation for acting immediately with a strategy and implementation plan and for responding promptly to messages.
This is no small consideration when your future hangs in the balance.
Tip #3: Compare track records As we pass through life, we affect the lives of others.
When choosing between criminal defense attorneys, look at their history and ask yourself if their performance in other cases builds your confidence in them.
Considerations include: • A solid reputation.
Review past cases to see who has previously entrusted their litigation and representation to the lawyer.
Look for any peer awards or recognitions, such as selection as a Super Lawyer or if the lawyer is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, which represents the highest levels of professionalism and ethical standards.
• Courtroom Success.
Only choose an attorney whose experience includes proven trial and case successes.
No ethical firm will guarantee results, but if an attorney cannot or will not tell you how many cases he or she has won, and in what type of defense, there may be a good reason.
Ask candidate firms for examples, and note how quickly and confidently they respond.
After comparing each candidate lawyer's track records, principles, and experience, you will have greatly improved your chances of making a smart choice in whom you select as your criminal defense attorney.
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