When charged with a crime in South Carolina, the first step is to find the best legal representation. Criminal cases require a qualified criminal defense lawyer, and it’s important to understand how to find the best criminal defense attorney South Carolina has to offer. In this article, you’ll learn how to choose the best possible criminal defense lawyer for your case.
Tips for Choosing the Right Criminal Defense Attorney
Taking your time learning how to choose a criminal defense lawyer is vital in ensuring that you obtain the best legal representation. Here are some important questions to ask when considering a criminal defense attorney:
Are They Specializing in Criminal Law?
Criminal charges are usually very complex and require a lawyer who specializes in criminal law. Although a criminal defense lawyer doesn’t necessarily need to only practice criminal law, they should have chosen criminal law as their area of specialization, giving them deep knowledge in all aspects of criminal law and experience handling complex criminal cases.
A criminal defense lawyer who has handled various criminal cases before will better understand the details of your case and the most effective defense tactics to utilize for a successful outcome. A good criminal defense lawyer understands what self-defense is in criminal law and how best to apply it.
Do They Have Experience in Local Court?
Apart from being knowledgeable in criminal law and having experience in handling criminal cases, a good criminal defense attorney should have experience in local court. You need an attorney who understands the local court system and has built connections and relationships with the judges, magistrates, and other court officials. These connections may come in handy in regards to your criminal case.
An attorney who understands how local courts function should also fully understand how judges or magistrates operate. Therefore, an experienced attorney can easily predict the judge’s next move and prepare their defense appropriately to reach the desired outcome. Knowing the kind of judge or magistrate your case will be up against can help your team to prepare a winning approach.
Are They Capable?
A good lawyer should be able to easily create solid arguments, and should understand the nitty-gritty of all aspects of your criminal case and its potential outcomes. Your lawyer must present your case convincingly enough to influence both the judge and the jury in your favor.
A smart attorney knows how to ask questions that will yield the answers they desire, and should have an above-average understanding and comfort with the criminal justice system in South Carolina. The best way to know if the criminal defense attorney you want to hire is truly capable of helping you win your case is to review their previous cases and outcomes. A great way to research award-winning, peer-recognized attorneys is by exploring the American Association for Justice’s website.
Are They Confident?
Apart from effectively arguing your case, your lawyer should also give you moral support by portraying confidence in court and remaining enthusiastic about your case, and they should portray a genuine interest in offering their services to you.
What Are Their Costs?
Unless you are using a public attorney, your criminal defense lawyer will charge you for their services. Because there isn’t a fixed amount of money that you are expected to pay for legal representation, you’ll negotiate with your attorney and come to an agreement in regards to the commission they will earn if your case is successful.
