by Bella Holly

When accused of a crime-whether you are innocent or guilty-it is important that you have an experienced Philadelphia defense attorney on your side. If you are innocent, your lawyer will build a defense that proves your lack of guilt; and if you are guilty, your lawyer could work to get you a more lenient sentence. So, before you jump out there and hire the first lawyer you come across, read these tips to help you choose the best lawyer for your case.

The first step in hiring an attorney is to understand which area of law your case falls under so you can search for a lawyer who specializes in that particular facet of law. For instance, a criminal case can easily require a great deal more tenacity in the courtroom than that of a misdemeanor, such as minor property damage and theft, as well as acts of violence. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, it would suit you best to only consider lawyers who have experience in criminal law, particularly in the area you are charged with, as a Philadelphia criminal lawyer will likely yield better results with your case.

Step two in the process of hiring a defense lawyer is to draft up a list of lawyers who you think might be able to help you. You can find candidates by browsing through the local phone book and newspapers, as well as asking family members. Asking the opinion of people you trust can really cut down the quest for a lawyer, providing you get along well with him/her and can develop a sense of trust, as required with many attorney/client relationships. Another great source for finding candidates is online using Google or another good search engine. This is a great way to yield several results which you can trim down by adding more specific search criteria.

Next, you will want to find out if the attorney offers a free consultation. This is particularly important if you are on a budget, as paying for several consultations could lead you to feel pressured into “settling” with a lawyer to end the mounting consultation fees. Start setting up appointments with a handful of lawyers or so to carry out a short face-to-face interview.

The consultation is the most important part. This is where you get the chance to explain your situation to the lawyer and find out whether they will be able to assist you. You should also take this time to ask questions about the lawyer to gauge their capabilities and trustworthiness. At the end of the day, you have to feel comfortable with your lawyer. Ask questions about his/her credentials, where they went to school, and how long they’ve been practicing law (particularly in Pennsylvania). Now is also the time to ask for a quote for the cost of the case. Some lawyers charge a fee by case, some charge by the complexity of a case and how much time is poured into it (either hourly, weekly, or monthly).

Remember these bits of advice when you’re looking for a lawyer and you should find the process a little less overwhelming. Also, keep in mind that your future and freedom could be at stake, therefore it’s okay to be a bit nit-picky when selecting your Philadelphia attorney.

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