When a person is looking at criminal charges, more often than not, they are better off discussing their situation with a qualified criminal defense attorney. Regardless of whether or not the person hires the prospective lawyer, getting an initial consultation will provide insight into options that the accused probably didn’t consider themselves. Specifically, the criminal defense attorney will be able to outline a course of action and discuss the consequences of various outcomes.
Experienced criminal defense lawyers know the intricacies of defending against criminal charges. These may include exercising rights, defenses, and other procedural options that most criminal defendants would not be aware of without the assistance of a professional criminal defense attorney. Too many times, a criminal defendant does something that hurts their chances of a more favorable outcome because of a lack of information about what they should be doing.
There are many aspects to defending a criminal case. For example, there are various motion options available that can sometimes be used to get a complete dismissal of all charges before the case is even scheduled for trial. Many of these options are deemed waived if not exercised at the appropriate time.
Keep in mind that each state has various organizations of criminal defense lawyers. Some of those organizations offer referral services or online directories, which you can use to find a defense lawyer in your area. There are also many legal directories that include criminal defense lawyers, some paid for by attorneys, others free.
After you have created a short list of local criminal defense attorneys, be sure to ask some of your questions by phone before you schedule a face-to-face meeting. While some lawyers will provide a free initial consultation, others will charge you a fee. You’ll want to clear this matter up early on in your discussions. Further, you’ll want to get a good idea of the lawyer’s experience in working on cases that are similar to yours.
Choosing the right Toms River criminal attorney is a complex decision that should not be taken lightly. You should talk to your prospective attorney about his/her experience handling criminal legal matters, like yours, in your area.