A wise choice in the selection of legal representation can mean the difference between freedom and incarceration. Take these steps to make the best decision.

If you find yourself in trouble with the law, be it civilly or criminally, do you know how to find a reliable defense attorney? Do you know what questions to ask, what red flags to watch out for, or what prices you might be paying? This article will help you answer some of those questions. That way, if the day ever does come that you need a criminal defense attorney, you will not be unprepared to find one.

Your first question will probably be about cost. You will most likely have to schedule a consultation with an attorney before you find out how much he or she will charge you to take your case. Some attorneys will take cases “pro bono”. This means that all of their work will be free of charge. This should not be expected, however. The attorney may quote you an hourly fee, a flat rate, or you can ask the attorney to quote you a maximum fee. Be concerned if you ask for a maximum fee quote and the attorney quotes you a retainer fee, but refuses to quote a maximum fee. An attorney may also charge a contingency fee, where they only charge money if they win your case for you.

You will want to ask an attorney what his specialty is and if he’s handled cases like yours before. You will also want to know if your attorney will be the only one working on your case or if there will be a legal team. You’ll want to know how often the attorney will keep you informed about your case, and if you can reach them during an emergency or after hours. Also, if you call them during business hours with questions, what will the turnaround time be for answers. You should be aware that asking about a lawyers education and credentials is not only fine, but a responsible decision. You want to make sure that the attorney you hire is up to date on current laws and court proceedings.

There are a few places you should avoid looking for lawyers. Don’t go with TV ads. These ads are usually posted by lawyer referral services, and not actually law firms. If the ad is paid for by an actual law firm, your case may be referred out to another firm. Most likely, it will not get the proper attention it deserves. Also, don’t go with the person with the biggest ad in the phone book. Ad size has nothing to do with ethics and qualification. The bottom line is that you should hire an attorney based on your consultation with him, and how comfortable you feel.

You don’t have to hire a lawyer because you met with him. You can meet with as many lawyers you want before you pick the one you want to represent you. Take your time, and evaluate your choices thoroughly.

Author Bio: Visit http://www.texasdwidefense.net for more resources. The information above is not legal advice – we are not attorneys.

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