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5 Errors in Selecting a Criminal Defense Lawyer and How to Avoid Them

Are you a convicted criminal? 

There are several errors that happen when you’re picking a lawyer. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you might hire someone who won’t do their job–or worse, steal your money.

Don’t make the same mistake. Find what you’re doing wrong, so you can be sure not to repeat your mistakes when selecting a criminal defense lawyer.

1. Hiring a Lawyer That Doesn’t Regularly Work in the Jurisdiction

A lawyer that is familiar with the local rules, court personnel, and judges in the court is in a better position to provide complete and effective representation. A lawyer that does not regularly work in the jurisdiction may not understand local rules and thus may not be in a position to effectively advocate for the client.

Consequently, the client should take care to hire a lawyer that regularly works in the jurisdiction because it gives him a better chance to receive a representation of the highest possible quality.

2. Using Old School Methods to Find a Lawyer

While word-of-mouth referrals, television commercials, or thumbing through a phone book are often people’s go-to methods, this oftentimes leaves them guessing as to the individual lawyer’s experience and competence.

Furthermore, traditional methods fail to provide the opportunity to vet the lawyer’s past experience, competence, and strategy. As such, it is important to take time to do the necessary research when seriously considering hiring a lawyer in order to get one that is best suited for your individual case.

3. Hiring a Lawyer That Doesnt Specialize in Criminal Defense

When searching for a criminal defense lawyer, it is important to understand the differences between lawyers who specialize in criminal defense and those who do not. Hiring a lawyer that does not specialize in criminal defense experience can have detrimental consequences.

These options for lawyers may not fully understand the nuances of criminal law, the strategies needed to present an effective defense or the appropriate courses of action for a wide range of criminal charges

4. Hiring an Inexperienced or Unqualified Lawyer

One of the most common errors in selecting a criminal defense lawyer is hiring an inexperienced or unqualified lawyer. One should seek out a lawyer who understands the particular laws in the soon-to-be defendant’s state.

To avoid hiring an inexperienced or unqualified lawyer, one must carefully evaluate a criminal defense lawyer’s credentials and experience. Research a lawyer’s past performance, reputation among other lawyers in their area, client reviews, and references, if available.

5. Hiring a Lawyer Who Doesn’t Try Cases Regularly

When it comes to hiring a criminal defense lawyer, there are a variety of errors you can make. One of the most common errors is hiring a lawyer who does not try cases regularly. This is a mistake because the lawyer will most likely lack the experience necessary to handle the complexities of a criminal case.

To avoid making this mistake, you should make sure to inquire about a lawyer’s trial experience. You should also interview multiple lawyers so you can get a good sense of their trial experience and specific experience with the type of criminal case that needs to be addressed.

Consider legal experts from The Boss Attorney, Michigan’s premier criminal defense law firm

Learn the Errors in Selecting a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Ultimately, it is important to take the time to thoroughly research and evaluate criminal defense lawyers before selecting a criminal defense lawyer. Researching a lawyer’s experience, results, and references is an important step to finding the right one. 

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