Everything You Need to Know About Hiring a Montgomery County Criminal Lawyer

According to the United States Sentencing Commission, in 2018, there were 69,524 federal criminal cases in which the defendant received a sentence.

Facing criminal charges can be a harrowing experience, and if you don’t have competent counsel, then things can turn ugly quickly. The lawyer you choose has a great impact on the outcome of your case, and as such, you need to make a wise selection.

Here’s a brief look at what a criminal lawyer does and tips on what to look for when hiring a Montgomery County criminal lawyer.

Who Is a Criminal Defense Attorney?

A criminal defense attorney is a type of lawyer who represents you in a court of law when you stand accused of a crime. A certified criminal defense lawyer is one who has been authorized to practice law by the bar of a specific jurisdiction.

A criminal attorney can either be appointed by the court or hired directly by the defendant. When the state appoints the lawyer, it is typically in the capacity of a public defender.

What Can a Criminal Attorney Do for You?

The moment you determine that you need a criminal lawyer and not a civil one, you have to figure out how a criminal attorney can best serve you. Let’s take a look at some critical ways such lawyers can come to your aid if you are facing criminal charges.

1. Assess the Charges and Evidence

A criminal lawyer will typically approach a new case by first looking at the charges and evidence present.

To get a better feel of the case, a reputable attorney will set up a face-to-face meeting with you. The point behind this is to learn more about the case by thoroughly questioning you.

When the attorney is talking to you for the first time, they will be looking to dig into the weaknesses and strengths of the case. That then helps them figure out a tentative defense strategy.

Along with looking at the charges, a criminal defense attorney will also want to study the evidence presented. Where necessary, the attorney can even arrange for independent testing of the evidence for them to better prepare legal theories that can help make your case.

2. Investigate the Case

Once the criminal attorney meets you to understand the fundamentals of the case, it’s time for them to investigate further.

The lawyer can question the police concerning the procedures they took when handling the case. The investigation will also include reaching out to any witnesses to collect further information from their perspective.

In addition to this, a criminal defense lawyer has the right to look at the prosecution’s case before the latter submits it to the jury. Doing so will help them identify any loophole that can get your case acquitted.

With all this information at hand, the criminal defense attorney will look to determine potential ways they can win the case on your behalf.

3. Stop the Charges Before They Are Filed

On many occasions, a resourceful criminal attorney will meet with the federal prosecutor or district attorney after an arrest, but before charges are filed.

In such instances, a good lawyer can provide evidence and witness statements to help the prosecution have a fuller picture.

If this is done effectively, the prosecution can decide to file lesser charges. In other instances, the lawyer can convince the district attorney not to issue the arrest warrant or even drop the charges.

4. Recommend a Defense Strategy

Once the criminal defense attorney has looked at the case fundamentals and studied the evidence, they will have an idea of the defense strategy.

Based on the particular facts of your case, the attorney will recommend a strategy that aims at having your case dismissed or negotiate for a lesser charge rather than file a criminal case in court.

What Should You Look for in a Montgomery County Criminal Lawyer?

The kind of criminal attorney you hire for your case directly impacts your fate. As such, finding the right lawyer is critical and you need to know what markers to look for in identifying such an attorney.

1. A Strong Reputation

The kind of reputation a criminal defense attorney has is a critical pointer to the level of service you can expect. Therefore, as you conduct your research, make it a point to know what other lawyers and judges think about the attorney.

In addition, you can also reach out to past clients to find out what their experience was like when working with the attorney. Online review platforms are an alternative for you to uncover the lawyer’s reputation and assess if they would be a good fit for you.

2. Experience

When it comes to criminal attorneys, you want to hire a lawyer who has experience in your type of case. To this end, you should look into their past caseload to find out if they have handled your type of case before.

3. If You Can Open up to Them Comfortably

An oft-overlooked point by those looking for a criminal attorney is whether they feel comfortable opening up to them. If you don’t feel safe confiding in your lawyer, it may impede your case since you will most likely withhold information.

4. The Fee

At the end of the day, you can’t hire a lawyer you can’t afford to pay. Therefore, one key consideration when selecting a criminal defense lawyer is what fee they charge and how they bill you.

Various factors go into determining a lawyer’s fee. While the cheapest criminal attorney isn’t necessarily the best, it’s advisable to work with one you can afford.

A pro tip here is to compare the fee your lawyer charges to attorneys working in a similar capacity. Each lawyer charges differently, but if there is a significant variance with other lawyers (either more or less than), it may be time to ask why.

Get the Right Representation

Receiving criminal charges can be a grave affair calling for expert representation to protect your freedom. With this in mind, you need to know what makes a reliable attorney for you to hire the right Montgomery County criminal lawyer for your case. Seek to understand what a criminal attorney ought to do for you to assess whether the lawyer you are considering can adequately serve you.

The law firm of Andrea M. Kolski is dedicated to providing compassionate, straightforward, and accessible representation for criminal cases. Ask for a free criminal case evaluation today to learn how you can get the justice you deserve.