A criminal defense attorney is crucial if you have been arrested and charged with a crime and are facing serious penalties. You need an attorney who can explain your rights to you and the criminal process. Here are some things to know before hiring an attorney for your case.
You could be facing severe penalties which can include heavy fines and jail time along with related penalties include having a criminal record and carrying the social stigma of being a convict. You could lose out on having the job of your choice and can lose the job you do have. With so much on the line, you need an advocate who is trained in Texas criminal law.
A good criminal defense lawyer can walk you through the nature of your charges, defenses available to you, likely plea bargains, and what to expect after a trial or conviction.
You will want to consider a potential lawyer’s expertise, skill level, and knowledge of the law regarding your charges.
A good Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer can help with the following:
- Reducing your charges to a lesser charge
- Lessen the severity of the punishment for the crime
- Reduce or eliminate any jail time
- Work with you to build a strong defense strategy
Finding a Good Lawyer
You should make sure that the attorney you work with has the skills to defend you and is the one doing the work on your case themselves rather than another attorney or paralegal. They should also be familiar with courtroom procedures of state and local courts.
A good means of finding an attorney is by referral from a friends and family or any of the several online resources which evaluate lawyers independently.
Some good questions you should consider asking any potential attorney include:
- How many jury trials have you litigated?
- Do you have experience handling cases like mine?
- How much of my criminal case will you personally manage?
- How often do you work out plea agreements or ask for a lesser charge?
- Can you provide me with references from past clients?
- What do you charge and how are charges calculated?
If you were arrested for a crime, look to our Fort Worth criminal defense attorney. With The Law Office of Lesa Pamplin you will have a passionate advocate for your rights so call now!