How Do I Find The Best Criminal Lawyer?

Criminal charges can have very serious consequences. For this reason, you want to find the criminal lawyer who is best suited to your needs. Who this is will depend on the type of criminal matter and whether you are pleading guilty or contesting the charges. This page outlines some of the things you should think about when choosing a criminal lawyer.

What sort of lawyer do you need?

Criminal defence is a very broad area, and many lawyers have specialisations within criminal law, such as a particular type of offending, or assisting a particular client group. There are also lawyers who consider themselves ‘trial lawyers’ and are experienced at running defended matters, as well as those who focus on plea negotiations and settling matters early.

If you are facing charges of sexual offending or drug matters, you may be able to find a lawyer who specialises in these types of charges. If you are facing driving charges, you will need a lawyer with a lot of experience in traffic matters. If it is your child who needs assistance, you will want someone with experience in the Children’s Court.  

Conducting a search

Criminal lawyers can be found through the websites of law firms, in legal directories, and through bar associations. They can also be found through word of mouth. Online reviews left by past clients can also give you an idea of a person’s or of a firm’s reputation.

Assessing a lawyer’s experience

When assessing a lawyer’s experience and expertise, you should look at the following.

Education

All lawyers practising in Australia have either a Bachelor of Laws or a Juris Doctor, and have done Practical Legal Training. Practical Legal Training may be a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice or it may be done as a supervised traineeship. They will then have been admitted in the Supreme Court of their state or territory. Some lawyers may also have higher qualifications, such as a Master’s or PhD in Law, or degrees in other disciplines.

Experience

The website of a law firm will generally contain staff profiles. These will usually state how many years they have been working in the industry post-admission.

Expertise

Law firms’ websites also often state the areas of specialisation, or of particular interest, to each of their lawyers.

Accredited specialisation

Some lawyers are registered as Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law. This means that the Law Society has recognised them as a legal practitioner with particular skill and experience in criminal law. If a lawyer is an Accredited Specialist, they have worked a minimum number of years in criminal law (five years in Queensland, but this varies from state to state) and have been recognised for their competence in this area.

Case history

It’s also a good idea to research a lawyer’s track record. This may mean identifying cases they have been involved in and ascertaining what the outcome was.

First appointment

At your first meeting with a criminal lawyer, there are a number of things you should be sure to notice. There are also questions you may want to ask to get a better idea of whether the lawyer is right for you.

Communication

Does the lawyer communicate clearly and respectfully? This includes making sure you understand the nature of the charges and the likely penalties if you are found guilty, as well as the legal processes involved.

A lawyer should talk to you in a way that feels responsive and empathetic. They should make you feel that your case is important to them.

Fees

Does the lawyer disclose their fee structure at the outset in a way that is easy to understand and unambiguous? This includes informing you of their hourly rates and providing an estimate of the total costs.

Preparation

Has the lawyer read any documentation you have given them? If you have provided them with information that is relevant to the case – such as medical reports or character references – it is a good sign if they have become familiar with these before meeting with you.

You may also want to ask the lawyer about their experience with similar cases, the sorts of outcomes that are received, how they approach defending charges, and who will be handling your file.

Choosing a lawyer

Once you have researched and met a lawyer, you can decide whether to retain them or whether to keep looking. Ideally, you will choose someone who has the right experience and expertise, a fee structure that works for you, and who you also feel comfortable with. In criminal matters, while it is important to obtain legal representation at an early stage, it is also essential to do enough research to be confident that you are choosing well.

If you require legal advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Go To Court Lawyers.