How To Hire The Right Criminal Lawyer For Your Case

By Pearl Bakhtiari, Articling Student

Facing criminal charges, especially for the first time, is a daunting experience. You might not know which direction to turn to, but your first thought will likely be that you will need a lawyer to represent you. Choosing the right lawyer for your case is crucial for ensuring your matter is dealt with appropriately while simultaneously allowing for the minimization of the stress that you feel as a client. Picking your criminal lawyer should not feel like going on a bad blind date. Here are a few things to consider that will make the process less painful when determining how to hire the right criminal lawyer for your case: 

1. Areas of Expertise 

You will want to find a lawyer who specializes in the charges you are facing. If you are charged with assault, you will want a lawyer who has previously handled assault cases. It does not make sense to hire a lawyer who primarily deals with DUI cases when you have been charged with assault, as that lawyer will not be well-versed in the details of an assault case. While you are determining which lawyer to hire, it is a good idea to search for notable cases that the lawyer or the firm has worked on. 

2. Reputation

Reputation is essential in the legal field. It is important to do your research on the lawyer you are going to hire. This can be as simple as asking someone you may know who has previously been the lawyer’s client or searching for reviews. A good reputation is indicative that previous clients are satisfied with the quality of work provided by the lawyer. 

3. Promises 

A major red flag to avoid when hiring a lawyer is if they make you a promise about the outcome of your case. This is especially true if they make a promise before your case even begins. The outcomes of criminal matters are never guaranteed, and a criminal lawyer should never assure you that your case will go a certain way. Criminal cases are unpredictable and a lawyer should never guarantee that they are going to “win your case”. Instead, a good criminal lawyer will review the facts and provide you with realistic predictions for the results of your case. 

4. Retainer 

When a lawyer agrees to provide you with their professional services, this is called a retainer. As with any service that you may receive from anyone else, legal services cost money. Talking about money might be awkward, but absolutely necessary in determining whether you are hiring the right criminal lawyer for you. Make sure you are asking your potential lawyers about retainer fees prior to retaining them so that you are not stuck with a surprise bill. 

5. Personality 

Your lawyer is a legal professional, not your best friend. With that being said, it is still important that you find their personality compatible with what you are looking for in a criminal lawyer. Some lawyers are more stoic than others. Some are more blunt. Some are more patient. It is important to reflect on what qualities you want your lawyer to have and find someone who matches that description. It might not be easy at first and you might need to test the waters with various lawyers, but this initial step might help mitigate potential conflicts in the future. 

This content is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. If you have further questions, or need legal representation, feel free to contact our firm at 416-304-1414.