There are numerous reasons for domestic violence charges. No matter your guilt or innocence, you do deserve outstanding legal representation. Finding that representation, though, can be difficult. There are many lawyers out there, not all of whom are able to give you the kind of time and attention that your case may deserve. When you begin your search for a good attorney, it’s important to keep a few factors in mind. Below are the qualities that your potential attorney must have in order to make sure that you are well-represented and that you feel comfortable working with him or her.
An Understanding of Domestic Violence
Perhaps the most important thing to look for in a domestic violence attorney is an understanding of domestic violence. Domestic Violence charges are complex and incredibly loaded on both a legal and social level, and they are definitely the kind of charges for which not all criminal lawyers are equipped. You need to make sure that your attorney has handled domestic violence cases in the past, with a focus on cases that have similar fact patterns to your own. The better the attorney understands the laws surrounding this charge, the better your chance for solid representation.
A Solid Trial History
How has your potential attorney performed in the past? Does he or she typically go to trial with his or her clients, or do most of his or her clients end up taking plea deals? When your attorney does take clients to court, how successful is your attorney? You need to know the answers to these questions to judge your potential attorney’s efficacy at court. It’s certainly true that past performance is not a guarantee of future results, but knowing how a potential attorney tends to perform can tell you a great deal about your own chances.
Community Reputation
What do others think about your attorney? Is he or she someone like William Hanlon Criminal Lawyer in Tampa, who tends to have good client reviews and good standing in the legal community? Does your attorney have his or her name on billboards, but tends to assign trials to junior associates? Are there review sites full of mixed messages about how your attorney acts? You need all of this information to figure out how you will be treated and what your experience with the attorney might be like. While finding useful reviews can be tough, it’s almost always worth the effort.
The Right Personality
Facing a domestic violence charge can be very difficult. The last thing you want is a defense attorney who isn’t willing to treat you like a person during the process. It’s always important to meet with an attorney before accepting his or her representation so that you can tell whether or not your personalities mesh. If you feel like you can’t work with a lawyer, it’s going to be hard to participate in your defense and get the kind of representation you deserve. If you don’t feel like you are being treated well, it’s time to move on to a different lawyer.
What do you need from a good domestic violence attorney? Generally speaking, you need knowledge, experience, a good reputation, and a solid working relationship. If you have all of that, you can count on your attorney to be a skilled and zealous defender of your rights. Domestic violence charges can be serious and you absolutely deserve the best legal help you can find. If you find yourself dealing with domestic violence charges, make sure to call a qualified lawyer who can help you understand your rights.