Orange County Criminal Lawyer: 10 Things You Absolutely Must Know Before Retaining A Lawyer

If you are interested in retaining an Orange County criminal lawyer

, it is important to know and understand that there are at least ten things you absolutely must know beforehand. As you progress for your search, you will discover that there are many different criminal lawyers located in Orange County, California. The county seat that this county is located is called Santa Ana. In the year 2000, the estimated population of this area was nearly three million. Given the number of individuals in the area, it is not at all surprising that there are many criminal lawyers located in this Southern California region. If you are serious about winning your case and avoiding any legal repercussions, it is important to only retain an Orange County criminal lawyer that may assist you in becoming successful in your endeavors.

Board Certification

One of the most important details that you should ensure is in place with the Orange County criminal lawyer that you choose to handle your case is their board certification. This certification should be focused on criminal trial law. There are many instances where a legal professional will advertise that they will offer defense for criminal cases, but they do not specialize in that particular type of defense. If you want to acquire the best lawyer for your needs, it is absolutely essential that you seek only those that specialize in criminal law and are board certified in this particular field.

How much experience does he or she have?

This is another very important thing when it comes to choosing an Orange County criminal lawyer. That is, he or she should have significant experience, and should have participated in criminal trial law before. The best case scenario is that the lawyer has a very good track record, winning many more cases than he or she has lost; you should also make sure that he or she completely understands criminal procedure, jury instruction, case law, and should know how to object (and how to deflect objections from the opposing side) in the courtroom during trial.

Avoid Guarantees

The third step to choosing an Orange County criminal lawyer is to ensure that they avoid offering a guarantee. If you happen to stumble upon one of these individuals, you should actually be quite hesitant to work with them. It is not at all ethical for a criminal lawyer - or any other type of lawyer - to offer any type of guarantee when it comes to winning cases. Typically, these are the lawyers that are so desperate for business that they will go to extremes to attract clients.

How much does he or she charge for services?

If you are in need of an Orange County criminal lawyer, it is important to consider the cost for the service that they offer. However, it is important to avoid falling into the trap of choosing a lawyer because they have the lowest price among all those that you have to choose from. When considering the prices associated with the legal professional's work, it is important to evaluate many factors pertaining to their career. You should review their education, whether or not they are board certified in criminal law, as well as their performance in the court room. Once you have a good visualization on the type of lawyer that you will be using, you should then evaluate the prices that they have and determine if is worth it to hire that individual.

How well does he or she communicate?

Chances are, if your lawyer is a seasoned professional, he or she is also going to have very good communication skills as well. That is, he or she is going to be able to listen to evidence in the case, come up with opposing arguments as necessary, communicate succinctly, and just in general be as to the point and on task as possible. Some lawyers try to use flowery language to impress jurors or others, but this is most often very confusing and irritating, not impressive. Again, it's a good bet that your lawyer will have good communication skills if he or she is already a successful lawyer, but it's still something to keep in mind.

Does your (prospective) lawyer love what he or she does?

Again, if your lawyer is a seasoned professional, he or she is also probably going to be passionate about this chosen career. If your lawyer looks like he or she is simply "going through the motions," look elsewhere. You want someone who is willing to put in the time and effort necessary to win your case -- and in fact WANTS to do so -- so that's exactly what happens. Incidentally, even good trial lawyers can in some cases become "burned out." Therefore, even if a lawyer comes highly recommended to you, find someone else if you find yourself thinking that he or she no longer has a burning passion for the job.

Reputation

When choosing an Orange County criminal lawyer, it is important to consider the reputation of the lawyer when it comes to the legal community. You will want to choose a professional that is regarded as confident, has a vast understanding of criminal law, and is viewed as an expert among their peers. For example, many lawyers may write books, journals, and other publications that offer their insight to the legal world. Typically, these are the professionals that have a productive and positive reputation. You may also determine their reputation by asking individuals in your community, conducting an online search of the lawyer, and by asking for references.

Bar Referral

Referrals issue directly from the California State Bar are called "bar referrals." By asking for a bar referral, you are going to be able to tell whether or not the lawyer you are considering has had disciplinary action taken against him or her, and will be able to find out any relevant information as it pertains to pass cases, too. Don't hire a lawyer who does not have a bar referral.

Acquittal Rate

If you are interested in obtaining an Orange County criminal lawyer, it is important to consider the acquittal rate of the professional. Lawyers that have a very high rate are lawyers that are the most productive when it comes to the court room. This indicates that they work diligently to gather the information necessary to properly represent you. They are also viewed with respect inside of the court room in Orange County, California. It also indicates that they have the capability to thoroughly convince the jury of the innocence of the client that they represent.

Trust is important, too

The tenth and possibly one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an Orange County criminal lawyer is whether or not you trust the professional. Trust consists of many different elements. First, it indicates that the lawyer is honest and straight forward with you. Second, it establishes that the individual will be empathetic to your needs. It also indicates that they care about you as well as your future. You will be comfortable with a lawyer that you trust and a solid working relationship will be formed as the professional works to protect you.

The bottom line?

You can see that there's a lot to consider before you choose an Orange County criminal lawyer. You need a lawyer to represent you if you have to go through some quandary in the legal system, since his or her job is to assist you in a process you won't likely understand. Your lawyer will help educate you, will help you understand how criminal law works, and will work with you to determine the best course of action. Once you know what you should do to retain an Orange County lawyer, it's a much easier process.

by: Maximillian R. Powers

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