Criminal Lawyers in Philadelphia are not all alike. Although attorneys go through the same training and must pass the same bar exam, there are differences. As a result, you may find, when facing criminal charges, that you are having a hard time finding an attorney to represent you. This may be due, in part, to not knowing what questions you should ask of potential Criminal Lawyers in Philadelphia and not knowing what to look for. Here are some questions you should ask of any Criminal Lawyers in Philadelphia you meet with for a consultation.
1. When did you graduate from law school and pass the bar exam? This information gives you some basic information about the attorney’s background.
2. How long have you been practicing criminal defense? How many cases have you handled with charges similar to mine? Your goal with these questions is to find out how much experience your attorney has in representing clients with similar cases as an attorney who spent ten years focusing on real estate law before moving to criminal defense may not be your best choice.
3. What is your success rate in having cases dropped or the charges reduced? When the charges are reduced or dropped, the penalties you are facing will be reduced also, if not completely eliminated.
4. How many of your cases have gone to trial? If the case does move to trial, you need to have an attorney who has experience in presenting cases before a court.
5. What are the positive aspects of my case and what are the drawbacks? The attorney should present a realistic picture of the case and what he or she feels will be of help to you and what problem areas have been identified. He or she should also explain how they will work to highlight the positive factors while downplaying the negative ones.
6. Will you be responsible for handling all aspects of my case? If an issue arises, you’ll need to know who to contact in the office. Often, Criminal Lawyers in Philadelphia will gather a team to assist them in preparing your case and you need to know who these people are and your level of interaction with them.
Ask these questions of every attorney you interview. Doing so will help to make the selection process easier. Your future hangs in the balance when you are facing criminal charges so don’t take the process lightly.
