How to choose a criminal defense attorney:
In this day of electronic media, it is even harder to choose the right attorney. Attorneys with little experience can have a major on-line presence and a slick webpage leaving you with a great impression with little substance. So what is important in choosing a criminal defense attorney?
1. Experience, Experience and Experience. You want an attorney who regularly practices criminal defense. You wouldn’t’ go to a brain surgeon to repair a broken arm. Long ago, lawyers practiced in many different areas. Wills and Trusts, Divorce, personal injury, criminal defense, real estate and sometimes even an adoption. Lawyers were commonly general practitioners. Similar to the general internal medical doctor who does the whole body. But when you have a specific problem a general practice doctor sends you to a specialist. Today, lawyers concentrate their practice to limited areas. You want an attorney who has handled your type of case and has been on the battlefield. The experienced attorney can advise you from the experience of battle wounds. Doctors receive at least 4 years of on the field training before they enter practice in their field of choice. Lawyers get their license and are often let loose. An experienced lawyer can advise you based on what he or she has seen in practice. There is nothing worst than being advised to proceed to trial on facts that have no business being placed in front of a jury or being advised take a plea bargain when success at trial is very likely. Experience includes years in practice, number of jury trials and work in a particular jurisdiction. Having the experience of a jury gone bad, evidence gone bad, familiarity of a jurisdictions likely jurors and facts that appeal to juries makes a huge difference in the advice an experienced attorney will offer.
2. Access to the attorney you choose. You want to be able to communicate with the attorney you hire. There are not firms of 100 plus lawyers defending criminally accused. The relationship with the criminal defense attorney is important. After all the accused has to tell his or her lawyer pretty intimate information. You want an attorney who is available to you, returns your calls and shows up to Court. Sometimes you hire a firm and you don’t know who will be there when the Judge calls the case.
3. An attorney you can trust. You hire an attorney to defend you against the Government who is trying to prove your guilt. The information the attorney gives you is very important. While you make a few key decision in a case, you base your decisions on your attorney’s recommendation. The accused decides whether to plead guilty or not guilty, whether to testify at trial or remain silent, whether to have a trial to a judge or jury and whether to waive your rights to a speedy trial and in a felony case where you are entitled to a preliminary hearing, whether to waive or proceed to hearing. These decision must be made the accused and the accused must choose an attorney who he or she is comfortable with in helping him make these important decision.
4. Price. While price is always a consideration, the lowest priced attorney may be the best attorney or may be what you pay for. Speak to a few attorneys. Price is often determined on type of case, complexity of the case, location of the case, years of experience of the lawyer and time it will take for the case to be resolved. Each case is unique. An experienced lawyer may have a better idea on what is required to properly defend your case. Some cases resolve with plea agreements prior to trial and some cases always end up going to trial. Some lawyers may have little or no experience with your fact pattern and it may be a new journey for the lawyer. While you may only wish for an attorney to get the best deal, you also want an attorney to make sure your rights are protected. Having an experienced attorney is very importation.
DENVER DUI ATTORNEY
Richard B. Huttner limits his practice to criminal defense. He has been practicing for 17 years and has conducted over 100 jury trials. Richard B. Huttner has defended over 2500 cases for clients. Richard B. Huttner handles both misdemeanor and felony cases in Most Metro Denver counties including: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Douglas, Denver, Gilpin, and Jefferson Counties. He practices in most Municipalities including Aurora, Lakewood, Littleton, Englewood, Thornton, Northglenn, Sheridan and Westminster.
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