Why Do I Need A Lawyer 

How to Hire a Good Criminal Lawyer

If you are accused of a white collar crime, you will definitely want to consider hiring a good criminal lawyer. While you have the right to a public defender, and one will be appointed for you if you cannot afford to hire an outside attorney, a good criminal lawyer is the best way to ensure that you are well represented in court. Since your liberty is at stake, hiring a good criminal lawyer is not something to take lightly.

Create a Short List

Start the process of choosing a criminal lawyer by creating a short list of good potential candidates. You can use online searches or the phone book to find some options in your area. Visit the websites of the lawyers you are considering, and see if they have expertise in the particular area in which you are being prosecuted. You can often find this information in the lawyer\'s biographical profile on the website.

Once you have a name, search for that name online. Do not visit the lawyer or firm\'s website again, but see if there is any other information about the attorney. Perhaps he has written some articles or been mentioned by others online. This can either provide comfort to you that you have chosen a good attorney, or help you avoid someone that is less than professional.

You can also visit your local paper\'s website to search the paper\'s archives for the lawyer or firm\'s name. This will allow you to see if the lawyer has had any publicity, good or bad, for recent cases.

Finally, if you have any special needs, such as a limited English vocabulary, consider searching for a lawyer who can cater to these. You need to be able to communicate effectively with your lawyer throughout your case.

These tips will help you narrow down your list to two to four lawyers. Once you have done this, you are ready to contact the lawyers directly to choose the right one from your short list.

Make a Phone Call

Once you have your short list, make a phone call to try to set up an interview with the lawyer. This may not always be possible, because good criminal lawyers are very busy people and may not have the time for an interview with a prospective client. However, calling the firm will give you a chance to get a feel for the staff. Make sure they treat you with professionalism and common courtesy.

If you can get an interview with the lawyer, take it. Do not tell him too much about your case until you have agreed to work with him, but ask him how he has handled cases similar to yours.

As the lawyer for references, and call those references. This is time consuming, but getting first-hand knowledge about how the lawyer works with people who have been in your shoes is invaluable.

Find out how he is paid, as well. Lawyers usually will be paid by the hour or through an upfront fee, and these rates can vary significantly from firm to firm, so you will want to know ahead of time how much to expect to pay for services. Keep in mind, however, that the cheapest lawyer may not be the best one for your case. On the other hand, the most expensive one may not be best either. Consider the cost as part of the overall picture of the lawyer, and choose the one you are the most comfortable about working with on a daily basis.

Make Your Choice

Make sure that you feel confident that the criminal lawyer Fort Lauderdale you have chosen will handle your case well. Your instincts are invaluable in helping you choose a good criminal lawyer. So do your homework, count the cost, and then go with your gut and hire the lawyer you feel the most confident in at the end of the process.

Full service law firm specializes in white collar crime, sex crimes, domestic violence, drug related offenses and motor vehicle crimes in Fort Lauderdale.

Videos

Lawyer News

It's Not the Clients, but a Lawyer's Beliefs That Count - Wall Street Journal

It's Not the Clients, but a Lawyer's Beliefs That Count Wall Street Journal Michael Mukasey distorts the issue involved in the question of which lawyers Eric Holder should employ to prosecute terrorist cases ("Why You Shouldn't ... Lawyer appointments suspectDallas Morning News (blog) all 2 news articles »

Vietnam frees ailing dissident priest: lawyer - AFP

AFP	Vietnam frees ailing dissident priest: lawyer AFP In an annual report, the State Department last week found that Vietnam held at least 60 political prisoners at the end of 2009 including lawyers, ... and more »

Chinese Drywall Maker Ruined House, Lawyer Argues - BusinessWeek

NOLA.com

Chinese Drywall Maker Ruined House, Lawyer Argues BusinessWeek “Their dream of homeownership has really turned into a nightmare,” Chris Seeger, a lawyer for Tatum and Charlene Hernandez, said today in his opening ... La. family: Drywall-tainted home needs overhaulMiamiHerald.com all 47 news articles »

Kansas City lawyer files class-action lawsuits against Toyota - Bizjournals.com

Kansas City lawyer files class-action lawsuits against Toyota Bizjournals.com Kansas City lawyer Neil Sader, The Sader Law Firm, has filed class-action lawsuits on behalf of Toyota owners in both Kansas and Missouri. ... and more »

Charlie Sheen prepares for arraignment with a new lawyer - Examiner.com

New York Daily News

Charlie Sheen prepares for arraignment with a new lawyer Examiner.com In anticipation of the court appearance, Sheen has hired a new lawyer to take up his defense. Radaronline.com reported that Steve Cochran, a well-known ... Charlie Sheen Pleads Not GuiltyStar Magazine Charlie Sheen enters 'Not guilty' plea to menacing, assault, and criminal ...Entertainment Weekly Charlie Sheen pleads not guiltyThe Star-Ledger - NJ.com all 583 news articles »

Ex-McGuireWoods Lawyer Pleads Guilty in PIPEs Case - BusinessWeek

Ex-McGuireWoods Lawyer Pleads Guilty in PIPEs Case BusinessWeek March 15 (Bloomberg) -- A former lawyer at McGuireWoods LLP pleaded guilty to securities fraud for trading unregistered private-placement ... Free: Ex-McGuireWoods Partner Pleads Guilty To Securities FraudNew York Law Journal Ex-McGuireWoods Lawyer Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy, FraudWall Street Journal all 8 news articles »

Supreme Court asks Pawlenty's unallotment lawyers tough questions - MinnPost.com

Politics in Minnesota

Supreme Court asks Pawlenty's unallotment lawyers tough questions MinnPost.com It turned out to be the top question on Magnuson's mind and he asked it of all three lawyers who spoke. Robben, who may not have anticipated the question, ... Pawlenty budget challenge now in the hands of the Supreme CourtMinneapolis Star Tribune Divining the Supremes on the unallotment casePolitics in Minnesota Galen Robinson vs. the governorMinneapolis Star Tribune all 96 news articles »