There are literally thousands of law offices in Southern California. You could guess about who sounds like they will do the best job for you, or you could ask a friend, or you could actually look into the firms and find out their qualifications, record of success, and their background.
In 2011, there were 4,092.2 arrests per 100,000 people in California, meaning that law enforcement and the judicial system are wanting to crack down any suspected criminal activity. As criminal offenses are heavily punished in our state, you want to ensure that you have a criminal trial lawyer with a lengthy history serving in difficult cases, and a deep knowledge of defense strategy. There is no doubt that the quality and skills of a defense lawyer are usually the significant factor in the final outcome at trial. This includes issues such as whether you are convicted or acquitted, the level of the charges, the bail amount set, and countless other details that will heavily impact your life and freedom.
There are certain criteria that can be checked upon to determine if a law firm is the right one to defend you. These include finding out how long the firm has been established and looking at the amount of time the attorneys have been in practice. You don't want to risk your freedom while a newer lawyer learns how to develop and present a case in criminal court.
Other issues that should be checked out include whether the attorneys served on the other side (as prosecutors or working in the District Attorney's office). There is no doubt that understanding the strategies on the other side can be extremely valuable.
Case results in difficult criminal trials can be reviewed.
Did the law firm achieve an acquittal in any serious felony cases? If they have, they usually will let you know their case results. If they don't mention their results, you may want to be wary. You don't have the option of having a lawyer that won't aggressively pursue every possible advantage for you. Check out all of their case results to see if they have been successful in obtaining any diminished charges or complete case dismissals. This cn be a huge insight into whether or not the firm is actually successful.
Is the firm listed as a Super Lawyer? Only a about 5% of practicing lawyers have this honor. You may want to find out if the law firm has such a listing. It is an indicator of their abilities in court.
Finally, you want to be sure that your lawyer works in a firm that exclusively practices criminal law - not a firm that is engaged in many practice areas. There is no substitute for trial experience, and a criminal defense lawyer that ONLY practices criminal law is very likely to have far better trial skills.
In 2011, there were 4,092.2 arrests per 100,000 people in California, meaning that law enforcement and the judicial system are wanting to crack down any suspected criminal activity. As criminal offenses are heavily punished in our state, you want to ensure that you have a criminal trial lawyer with a lengthy history serving in difficult cases, and a deep knowledge of defense strategy. There is no doubt that the quality and skills of a defense lawyer are usually the significant factor in the final outcome at trial. This includes issues such as whether you are convicted or acquitted, the level of the charges, the bail amount set, and countless other details that will heavily impact your life and freedom.
There are certain criteria that can be checked upon to determine if a law firm is the right one to defend you. These include finding out how long the firm has been established and looking at the amount of time the attorneys have been in practice. You don't want to risk your freedom while a newer lawyer learns how to develop and present a case in criminal court.
Other issues that should be checked out include whether the attorneys served on the other side (as prosecutors or working in the District Attorney's office). There is no doubt that understanding the strategies on the other side can be extremely valuable.
Case results in difficult criminal trials can be reviewed.
Did the law firm achieve an acquittal in any serious felony cases? If they have, they usually will let you know their case results. If they don't mention their results, you may want to be wary. You don't have the option of having a lawyer that won't aggressively pursue every possible advantage for you. Check out all of their case results to see if they have been successful in obtaining any diminished charges or complete case dismissals. This cn be a huge insight into whether or not the firm is actually successful.
Is the firm listed as a Super Lawyer? Only a about 5% of practicing lawyers have this honor. You may want to find out if the law firm has such a listing. It is an indicator of their abilities in court.
Finally, you want to be sure that your lawyer works in a firm that exclusively practices criminal law - not a firm that is engaged in many practice areas. There is no substitute for trial experience, and a criminal defense lawyer that ONLY practices criminal law is very likely to have far better trial skills.