Checking Attorney Experience
Before hiring criminal defense attorney check whether attorney has extensive experience in handling criminal cases. Therefore check whether the attorney has trial experience, to litigate against court norms. Additionally criminal lawyer must have negotiation skills and should deal with prosecutors for bringing out the best possible outcomes regarding your case.
Knowledge
The choosing attorney should have wide knowledge in understanding all legal procedures of criminal law. Reason is handling a criminal case is a complex process, so the attorney need to be updated with all legal skills, when pertaining to handle criminal case in efficient manner.
Area of Specialization
When choosing a criminal lawyer, it is important to find out whether criminal law is their main area of specialization. Some of the attorneys are "general practitioners" who offer legal services in different areas. However, an area of law that is as important as criminal defense requires lot of experience. Therefore, it will be a waste of time in giving a case to DUI or Divorce lawyer. Criminal charges is most serious, therefore it requires a specialist handling criminal case. Better to find an attorney who has represented many clients in serious misdemeanor and felony cases.
Reputation
The basic quality of a professional criminal defense lawyer is to have a good reputation among previous and existing clients. Reputation of attorney will be based on how successful, he is wining the case. There may be many competitor lawyer who posses good reputation. To find unique character of a criminal defense lawyer, it is better to inquire. Inquiring with non-criminal lawyers, public defenders and judges will be best opinion to know about a particular attorney.
Fee Structure
Before giving case to criminal defense lawyer ask about their fees structure. Every attorney fees get varied, some may collect for hour basis and some may collect the money after winning the case completely.
The above mentioned tips will be useful for clients before hiring a criminal defense attorney.