One of the first things you will need to do if you are charged with a criminal offense is to hire a lawyer. While you do have a right to court-assigned legal counsel, if you want to ensure that you have the best attorney to take on your case, it’s best that you hire one on your own, especially considering you will have to pay for their service regardless of whether the court assigns your attorney or you hire one yourself. If you choose to hire an attorney, it’s important to find the right one for your needs, and in today’s post, we will provide you with a few tips on what you should look for in a good defense attorney.
Whether you’ve been charged with a DUI, domestic violence, theft and property crimes, or something in between, you can count on the defense attorneys at Roselle & Breitigam to have your back. Our attorneys have years of experience defending people just like you in Fort Collins and the surrounding area, so you can rest assured that we will do everything we can to try and win your case. If you are interested in learning more about how we can help, explore our website and reach out to us using our online contact form to schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!
THE RIGHT EXPERIENCE
If your family has connections with an attorney or you know someone who has used an attorney for one thing or another and had a good experience, your first thought may be to reach out to one of them, but it’s best to make sure you find a lawyer who has experience with your specific type of case. While your friend may have worked with a really great DUI attorney, if you’re being charged with another type of criminal activity, there is no guarantee that your friend’s lawyer has experience with that type of case, which could hurt you in the long run. Criminal law is extremely complex, and not all defense attorneys specialize in the same type of crime. If you hire an attorney who hasn’t worked with your type of case, they may not be up-to-date on the latest laws or procedures for your case. Instead, it’s best to try and find an attorney with the right type of experience, even if it takes a little more digging.
CONFIDENT BUT NO GUARANTEES
The guarantee of winning your case sounds good, but it’s not always the most realistic approach. You may be tempted by a lawyer who says they can guarantee they can help deliver a favorable outcome, but what happens if they can’t? Instead of falling for the guarantee, it’s better to look for a defense attorney who is confident in their abilities as a lawyer. Confidence is a great quality, and it can help put your mind at ease if you’re feeling worried. That being said, the difference between confidence and a guarantee is that a confident lawyer will do their best to put together the strongest case possible, whereas a guarantee is never certain.
PASSION FOR LAW
When searching for someone to work on your home or your vehicle, you wouldn’t want to hire a person who is only doing that work for the money, would you? Instead, you would want to hire someone who not only knows what they are doing but also has a passion for solving problems and doing what they can to help the customer. The same principle applies when hiring a defense attorney. It’s best to find an attorney who has a clear passion for the law. When you meet with your defense attorney for the first time, look for signs that they are actively listening to your story and seem interested in your case. That interest could help fuel their desire to build a strong case, giving you a better chance of getting the outcome you desire.
TRUST YOUR GUT
While the qualities mentioned above are important factors to consider, it’s equally as important to trust your gut. In the end, you want a lawyer who you trust to represent you to the best of their ability while also taking your best interest into consideration. Essentially, you are putting your life into their hands, so you don’t want to settle for the first defense attorney you meet, especially if your gut is telling you it isn’t the right fit. Finding the right attorney may take a little time, and you may have to meet with more than one. However, if you listen to your gut and keep these tips in mind, you should be able to find the right defense attorney in no time.
LOCAL ADVANTAGE
It’s a good idea to hire an attorney who has experience in the courthouse where your case will be tried, giving you the home-court advantage. While the laws regarding your case are the same throughout the state, the procedures in each courthouse may vary, and you want an attorney who feels comfortable and confident in court.
If you’re being tried in Fort Collins, the team at Roselle & Breitigam has your back. We have years of experience and specialize in multiple types of criminal law, making it easy for you to find a defense attorney you trust to represent your case. If you are interested in learning more, explore our website to see the types of cases we take on, and contact us using our online contact form to schedule an appointment.
