Last Updated on: 28th July 2023, 07:23 pm

If you summoned by the federal court, chances are that you are either under investigation or being charged for federal criminal offenses. Pleading guilty should not be an option. It is the work of the prosecution team to level sufficient evidence against you in the federal courts. Before appearing for a court proceeding it vital that you consider legal representation. Having a skillful lawyer on your side will put you on a better position to prove your innocence. However, most people are not aware on how to go about hiring an attorney. This article will seek to provide you with an insight into how to hire a criminal defense lawyer. Well, there is no one particular rule that governs the process of hiring a defense lawyer. However, there are a few things to check before narrowing down to a specific lawyer. These points will assist you to evaluate and weigh your options with regard to your case.

It is in your power to:

• Get a field fit lawyer

It is essential for you to get the right lawyer for your defense in the federal courts. Always make sure you do extensive research on the kind of criminal charges you are or likely to face. Information search should always be done on reputable sources. You can visit the State Bar Website, referrals from friends and relatives, libraries and the internet. Here you can easily find a list of certified criminal defense lawyers. Always make sure that you choose a lawyer who suits your cases. Most importantly go for the specialized lawyer who is conversant with your case. For example, do not go for a labor lawyer to represent you in a criminal court. Chances are that you will lose the case.

Equally, do not get too specific. What really matters here is to establish whether the lawyer in question has experience with the court procedures that you are likely to go through. This, however, does not guarantee a good lawyer for you. What counts most is to examine whether the choice you lawyer knows what he/ she is doing and what should be done in the federal courts.

• Be cautious and run background checks

Do not hire an idiot! He/ she will most likely ruin your case. Do not be attracted to eye-catching advert and promises. It is your duty to dig deep and establish the background of the lawyer you intend to hire. It is quite unfortunate to say, but most lawyers are successful because of the relationships they have with other lawyers in their field. That means that the success they have achieved is not built on solid grounds. Before hiring, always make sure you run a background check. Find out which law school she attended, establish his/her accomplishments not only as a lawyer but in other fields, and has he/ she published and law-related materials? These are some of the statement that can guide you to know more about your lawyer.

You should not consider a single aspect. In some instances, some good lawyers have attended less reputable institutions while the vice-versa is true. It is crucial that consider all the available information before finalizing on the hiring deal.

• Get a strong communicator

Use your judgment to establish the communicating ability of the lawyer in question. Professionally, any good lawyer should be able to articulate his point clearly. Get someone who can help you understand what is really going on in the court. Apart from oral communication, check on what the lawyer has written. Does his material make sense to you? You can quickly evaluate his verbal communication skills when you talk to and most importantly how he responds to questions.

• Cost

Usually, criminal lawyers are damn expensive. A good lawyer will cost you a six-figure digit. That kind of money may be a burden to most people. In the event that you cannot acquire that kind of money, all is not lost. The federal public defender’s office could be your next best option. All you need is to search on the internet "federal public defender" that within your jurisdiction. The federal public defender offices are home to some of the most excellent criminal lawyers.

The federal public defender’s office will only adhere to your request only if you are close to being charged or you are already charged. This is a better option than walking into the federal courts with a cheap and inexperienced lawyer.

• Trust your guts

Always consider the voice inside you. If your inner being feels uncomfortable hiring a particular lawyer do not go ahead to hire him/ her. Remember that the lawyer will be part and parcel of your life as long as the charges are still standing. He/she ultimate key to your freedom, your family, your career and most importantly your future.