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Essential Legal Tips You Should Know Before Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Carrollton, Texas

Do I Need a Lawyer?

If you have gotten into legal trouble, you do need a criminal defense lawyer in Carrollton, Texas. However, there are certain things you should learn before acquiring their services. We are going to cover some of them for you:

1. Define your problem carefully before considering hiring a lawyer

The first thing you should know when you get into legal trouble is whether you need a criminal defense attorney? How do you know you need one? When you have been charged with a crime, or have been served with a lawsuit, you need a criminal defense lawyer. You should therefore look for a criminal defense lawyer that has experience in winning the legal cases you are facing.

2. Find out whether you can solve your own problem

Most cases that you come across are simple, and don’t require a criminal defense attorney to help you out. For instance, if a company has wronged you, file a complaint with their customer service department to settle the issue without involving a lawyer. There are a lot of cases where legal issues can be resolved without needing the services of a criminal lawyer.

However, there are times when you absolutely need a criminal defense attorney in Carrollton, Texas. This could be due to someone suing you for legal damages.

3. Determine the immediacy of your situation

There are times where you must get a criminal defense attorney quickly, which would be when you must defend yourself in a legal suit, or if you have been accused of a crime. If you are facing such a situation, you should seek legal counsel immediately, to pursue your rights and protect yourself from prosecution. Waiting around will only jeopardize your chances of defending yourself in a legal case.

Once you have decided to act and acquire the services of the best criminal defense lawyer in Carrollton, Texas, you must go about the right manner to find the best lawyer. You want to hire a criminal lawyer with experience, who has the credentials, and you are comfortable working with them.

Finding a Lawyer

There are a lot of different ways you can go about acquiring the services of the best criminal defense injury attorney in Carrollton, Texas. Here are some of the best methods you can try:

4. Find a lawyer that best suits your needs

There isn’t any shortage of top quality Carrollton criminal defense attorney, but you may have difficulty finding one that suits your needs. The first step towards finding an experienced Carrollton criminal defense lawyer is finding one that works in your jurisdiction. All lawyers are licensed to practice in a state, and you should check online to find the best criminal defense attorney in Carrollton, Texas. You will also need to find someone, who can handle your case properly.

Most lawyers specialize in one type of law, so it is imperative that you find a lawyer that that has the experience and expertise of winning legal cases. You must also look at whether the lawyer is compatible with your budget, because you don’t want to go broke trying to escape legal trouble. You shouldn’t always believe the advertisements you come across on TV or on websites, because there are times lawyers don’t advertise their true fees.

5. Read legal advertisements carefully

You should check whether the legal advertisement is complete, and has provided you with complete details. Criminal defense lawyers today don’t advertise in Yellow Pages or newspapers, but over the internet. However, remember that the quality of the advertisement has no relation with the quality of services you can expect from the law firm. Therefore, always check up and review the background of the lawyer, including their qualifications and experience before hiring them.

6. Consider more than one lawyer

There are a lot of options when it comes to finding criminal defense lawyers in Carrollton, Texas, so make sure that you pick someone with the skills that you need. You want to acquire the services of someone that is respected and revered in the local community, and has a stellar track record as a criminal defense attorney in Texas.

When you find a lawyer that you like, make sure you call them and schedule a meeting. Prepare a list of questions, so that you can discuss important issues, and get a good understanding about the type of services you can expect. You can also ask for references or copies of recent cases they have handled, so that you have a good idea of whether they have tried similar cases successfully.

Hiring a Lawyer

Now that you have found the best criminal defense attorney in Carrollton, Texas, here is what you should know about hiring them.

 

7. Don’t hire a lawyer who actively solicits your business

If the lawyer starts acting on your behalf and asks you to hire them to represent your legal case, you should ignore them. This is against the Legal Rules of Professional Conduct, and is commonly referred to as ‘ambulance chasing’. If the lawyer is willing to break the rules to acquire you as a client, then that isn’t the kind of lawyer you want representing you on your legal case.

8. Make sure you understand what you’re paying for

You should know exactly what you are paying for when you acquire the services of a criminal defense attorney. Learn about what your lawyer is making on top of the fees you are paying, and get everything in writing. The typical expenses you can expect include:

  • Court costs (fees for filing a lawsuit)
  • Expert witness fees
  • Legal research
  • Photocopying
  • Courier
  • Telephone
  • Postage
  • Private investigator
  • Copies of transcripts
  • Court reporter
  • Out of town air or car transportation
  • Hotel and meal expenses

Your criminal defense lawyer in Carrollton, Texas should be willing to provide this information.

9. Learn how you can fire a lawyer

It is important to know how you can fire your criminal defense attorney, if you don’t feel as if they are representing you correctly, or if you don’t want their services.

10. Check out your lawyer’s records

Check with the Texas state bar association if the criminal defense lawyer has ever had any inquiry or ethical complaints filed against them. You should know whether your lawyer has a pattern of questionable conduct, which could lead to further problems down the line.

11. Know your options and make sure your lawyer gives you them

You should have complete knowledge of all the different facts of your legal case, and your criminal defense lawyer should be willing to share that information with you. Make sure that you are on good terms with your lawyer, and aren’t shy to discuss about different options in your legal case.

Author Attorney, Stephen Lebrocq

Stephen Le Brocq is dedicated to providing his clients with excellent legal services in all areas of law. Stephen Le Brocq has handled cases ranging from slip-and-fall, felony drug trafficking, to contested and uncontested divorces, appeals in the Federal Courts, etc… His dedication and service to his clients is far beyond most attorneys. His clients are always well-informed of the status of their case and not left worrying about what will happen to their life.

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