When faced with criminal or civil charges, the idea of serving a jail term can be scary. Whether guilty or not, the thought of losing your freedom is mental torture you wouldn’t want to experience. Not to mention the repercussions it could have on your social and economic life.
The court process is also not forgiving, especially for someone with little knowledge of what to expect. But even if you know how the legal system works, being held in custody could hinder your chances of building a case. Therefore, opting for the services of a defence lawyer could be your best bet.
But here is the problem, there are many defence attorneys in Sydney. How are you going to find the best one for your situation? Fortunately, this article will discuss some factors you should consider when choosing these professionals. Read on to learn more!
1. Experience matters
One of the most important things to look for in a defence lawyer is experience. The world of legal battles can be very complicated, depending on your charges. For instance, if you’re dealing with criminal charges, you will need criminal defence solicitor who understands the ins and outs of the law to represent you.
However, experience isn’t something you can gauge just by going through a list of potential defence attorneys. So, how will you know who scores high on this one? There are several factors to remember to ensure you hire the best candidate.
For one, you must consider their time in the field. For how many years have they been practising law? More years suggest more experience, but that shouldn’t be the only criterion. In addition, be sure to consider the number and type of clients they’ve represented. This way you can assess if they’re qualified to handle your case.
Those Sydney defence lawyers who have worked with different types of clients are highly likely to understand your situation and will know how to simplify it. Given that they’ve handled a similar case, they’ll also learn how to manoeuvre questions from the prosecutor’s end.
2. Find a lawyer who specialises in cases like yours
The legal justice system is wide, and there are lawyers for just about every section within this field. That said, when finding your defence lawyer, you need to consider their area of specialisation.
Of course, many of these professionals undergo years of training that allow them to work on a wide range of cases. However, to increase your chances of winning, it would be best to go for someone specialising in a given area. For instance, a civil defence attorney will do a better job if you’re facing civil charges than someone who handles both civil and criminal cases.
It would also be a huge bonus to hire someone who has spent a significant part of their career handling and researching cases similar to yours. Being well-versed with the specifics of your case gives them an advantage when asking and answering questions in the courtroom.
3. Arrange for in-person interviews
In-person interviews are very crucial when deciding who will handle your cases. Through these sessions, you learn someone’s personality and see if it matches your needs. So, before you make your final decision, invite all the candidates to private one-on-one meetings.
But first, be sure to do your research on each individual to understand their career and have a list of questions to ask during the sessions. Go through their social media pages, website and other digital platforms where you can find information on the candidate subject. While at it, don’t ignore the reviews posted by previous clients because that’s what will give you an idea of who you’re dealing with.
Once that part is done, learn everything you can about your case and the relevant pieces of law. This knowledge is crucial because you’ll then be able to ask contractive questions that benefit both parties.
Conclusion
The specifics of the law can be very daunting for an ordinary citizen. They become even more complicated when you’re accused of being on the wrong side of the law.
If you find yourself or anyone you know in this situation, it’s always a good idea to consider hiring a defence attorney. Use this guide to help you find the best of the bests. And remember, among the things you should check when finding the best candidate for the job is their experience and expertise in a given area of the law. You can find most of this information from their digital portfolios but don’t make your final decision before in-person interviews.
References:
- “Do I Need A Lawyer When I’m Charged With Crime?”, Source: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/need-lawyer-charged-crime.html
- “Considering The Role Of A Criminal Lawyer.”, Source: https://medium.com/@singaporeacademyoflaw/considering-the-role-of-a-criminal-lawyer-3cd81f9b9d4f
- “How Much Does A Criminal Defense Attorney Cost?”, Source: https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/how-much-does-a-criminal-defense-attorney-cost-61222
