How To Find The Best Criminal Defense Attorney In Phoenix

Are you trying to find the best criminal defense attorney in Phoenix? It can be a daunting task if you’ve never needed a lawyer before and don’t know anybody who knows one. When you’re facing criminal charges, it’s critical to find the best lawyer possible to help you out of your situation. If you don’t have a word-of-mouth recommendation and are left to find somebody on your own, here’s the best way to get started.There are a couple of steps you’ll want to follow when choosing a criminal lawyer.

• First, you’ll want to do some online research to select a couple of top prospects.
• Next, you’ll want to schedule free consultations with your top choices and show up with a list of questions.
• Finally, you’ll want to take all the pros and cons into account and make a final decision.

If you’ve been pulled over for a DUI, charged with a misdemeanor, or are facing felony charges, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer. You also need one if you’re facing  probation violation charges or are trying to restore your gun rights or voter rights through a set aside conviction.Here are some things to think about when trying to find the best criminal attorney in Phoenix for your case.

What Does A Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

The best criminal defense attorneys in Phoenix will be your advocate in a system that is extremely complicated. Their No. 1 job is to get the best outcome for you. This may involve filing motions, representing you in trial, negotiating plea deals, and much more. Experienced criminal defense attorneys in Arizona are highly skilled in understanding how the Arizona criminal justice system works and how to best serve their clients with this wealth of experience, knowledge, and skill.Other parts of the job include:

• Ensuring their clients retain their constitutional rights.
• Studying potential jurors before and during trial.
• Advising the client on appearance during court proceedings.
• Staying in touch with public opinion to inform their strategy.
• Maintaining 100% confidentiality of anything shared by their client.

Why Hire A Criminal Defense Attorney?

Whether you’re facing a DUI, felony charges, or an allegation of violating probation, there’s a lot at stake. Aside from potential jail or prison time and the thousands of dollars in fines, your life can be forever impacted. An unfavorable verdict can cause problems that can impact your job, custody of your children if you’re divorced, and even the ability to vote or own a firearm. For all these reasons and many more, it’s imperative to find the best criminal defense attorney in Phoenix when you’ve been charged of a crime.Here are more reasons to consider hiring a criminal defense attorney:

• They may be able to get the charges reduced. This could be especially critical in the case of felonies versus misdemeanors.
• They can help to give you an opportunity to lessen the punishment of your crime.
• They may be able to help you avoid jail or prison time.

How Do Criminal Lawyers Charge?

Typically, criminal lawyers charge charge a flat fee based on the expected hours that will be needed to handle a case. They also may require a retainer fee as a deposit in order to work together. It’s important to also consider various administrative charges and fees that could arise during our trial. For this reason, make sure you get a full understanding at your free consultation of how the pricing structure works and when fees are collected. When trying to find the best criminal defense attorneys in Phoenix, getting clear on how you will be billed is a critical detail.

What Makes A Top Criminal Defense Lawyer?

There are plenty of things to consider when trying to find this match. The best choices will be the ones who have experience in the criminal law system and who will be your guide through the entire process, keeping you at ease. You’ll also want somebody whose fees aren’t so high you’ll need a second mortgage on your home.Here are more top qualities of a good criminal defense lawyer:

• They have ample experience working in the courts of Phoenix, Maricopa County and the State of Arizona. Lawyers with prior experience in Phoenix likely will have established rapport with your local or regional judicial system. They’ll be fully versed in the specific nuances of the local and area courts, such as how set aside convictions work and how to get the best outcome on a fast track felony DUI.
• They have good reviews on places like Google and Reviews will give you a realistic feeling about the lawyer from people who have used their services. It’s also a good way to know what to expect and which kind of qualities may be important to you.
• They are aggressive in their advocacy for you. When they’re working on your case, you feel like their top priority. The best lawyers are passionate about their cause and are genuinely interested in the aspect of law that your case falls under.
• They offer free consultations so that you can get to know them and you each can determine if you are a good match. While you are at the consultation, you genuinely feel at ease and feel confident about the advice you are receiving.
• They are open and honest with you, managing your expectations. They will provide all the information possible for you to make the best choice for your situation.
• They are an expert in their field and involved in the community that they serve. You wouldn’t hire a cardiologist to operate on your brain; choosing a lawyer is a similar approach.
• While it’s nice to have a lawyer that makes you feel secure, you also must win. Good lawyers have good track records and should be able to show you stats on their cases related to yours. They also are part of professional organizations and have studied at reputable law schools.

A lot of this information can be quickly gathered online. When reviewing their website and lawyer profiles, look at the type of qualities they are highlighting. For example, if there is a lot of emphasis on how you will feel while working with them, there’s a good chance you won’t be treated like just another case number. Similarly, lawyers who have a lot of interest in your community and your specific case will likely be very passionate about your cause. And, if they have a lot of experience in your type of case, they likely are very skilled.

Questions to Ask Potential Criminal Lawyers

Because so much is riding on the outcome of your case, it’s important to find a criminal lawyer that’s the best match for you. Here are a few things to find out while you are at your free consultation:

• How much do you charge and when will payment be due? Are there other fees I should know about?
• How will we communicate and how often?
• What is your background in cases like mine?
• What’s the best course of action for my case? What are the steps involved?

Signs of A Bad Defense Attorney

While a good criminal lawyer can save your life, having a bad defense lawyer can equally ruin it. With so much at stake, including jobs, children, jail/prison time and tens of thousands of dollars, making sure you find the right criminal defense attorney is critical. Here are some red flags to look out for:

• They don’t stay in communication nor seem interested in your case.
• Their invoices are confusing, and they participate in unethical behavior.
• They don’t seem to have compassion for your situation, and you get the feeling that they don’t respect you.
• They’re doing all the talking when they should be listening to your recalling of events.
• They make guarantees (which is illegal) or try to scare you into hiring them or you’ll lose your case.