Tips on How to Find A Lawyer

Here are some tips to help you choose the best lawyer to handle your case.

Find a lawyer who:

  • offers free consultations and resources.
  • will work with you on price or offer a flat-fee rate.
  • gives you and your family their full attention and personal service.
  • has good technical skills and experience as a trial lawyer.
  • will work to get you the best outcome possible.
  • is honest, ethical and aggressive.
  • will fight to keep your record clean.
  • will promptly return calls from you and your family members.

Should I hire a lawyer who is a friend or relative if possible?
NO. There are several reasons this is not a good idea. You will risk ruining the relationship by hiring someone you know.It will put you and your attorney is a bad position. Why? Because it might be hard to share certain facts about your situation AND lawyers have to tell clients things they do not want to hear.It leaves you both in a lose-lose situation.Also, it can make for a very uncomfortable if you are dissatisfied with something yourattorney/friend/relative does and cannot directly tell him or her due to your more than business relationship with them.What happens to the relationship if you lose your case?

Can I ask the attorney to reduce the price?
YES. Many attorneys (yes even very good attorneys) will negotiate the fee. If a criminal defense attorney charges an hourly fee for services, ask her/him to bill you on a flat-fee instead.Try not to choose a lawyer based only on cheap or affordable rates. It will be worth every penny if an attorney has the skills and experience that can resolve your criminal or DWI legal matter in your favor.

Should I avoid a criminal defense attorney that advertises?
NO. Many very good lawyers will advertise to market their legal expertise while some less experienced and unskilled lawyers do not. In many cases, you can find a criminal lawyer or law firm that will provide quality services at a lower rate than usual if they advertise.

Bottom line: It may be best for you to find an attorney that

  • offers free advice consultation and resources.
  • has the experience and skill handling cases like yours.
  • is honest, ethical and aggressive.
  • will fight to keep your record clean
  • will return calls from you and your family members.
  • is not a friend or relative
  • will work with you on price or offer a flat-fee rate
  • gives you their full attention
  • has good technical skills and experience as a trial lawyer
  • makes you feel most comfortable

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References:
Law 101 by Bill Roche and Law for Dummies by John Ventura