Being accused of a criminal offense is no trifling matter. It can affect you emotionally and financially and take a toll on your mental health, as an accusation alone is enough to destroy someone’s life. If you’ve been accused of a crime, the first and most important thing you can do is retain a criminal defense lawyer in Houston to defend against the accusation. But the process of finding a criminal defense lawyer can be challenging.
So, how do you find the best criminal defense lawyer for the job? Here are several factors to consider when hiring a criminal lawyer in Houston.
1. Trial experience
Research shows that trial experience is the single most crucial factor when selecting the right criminal defense lawyer in Houston. There are numerous lawyers with experience walking into courtrooms and negotiating plea agreements. However, some lawyers have so much experience that they become friends with other prosecutors. They may fear upsetting the relationship with the connections they make and be unwilling to fight for you in court. This means your case may be forfeited to ensure a deal can be had in the following case.
However, a criminal defense lawyer with trial experience won’t be afraid to go toe-to-toe with the prosecutor. More importantly, the prosecutor will know that the lawyer is aggressive and that they will not be afraid to go to trial and win when necessary.
2. Legal competence
The criminal defense lawyer you choose must stay up-to-date with the latest legal developments and techniques to represent a client properly. And just because a lawyer is licensed does not mean they’ve stayed current on the latest legal defenses in the field. While many states require lawyers to take annual courses and education, it’s not often linked to one specific area of practice. Legal competence in criminal defense typically means a direct correlation between education and representation. Finding someone who continually invests time into staying up to date will be able to enhance their trial skills and provide exceptional criminal defense representation.
3. Accessibility
Accessibility means that you have the ability to reach your criminal defense lawyer or their legal staff. When people hire criminal lawyers, they complain that the only time they’re accessible is when they’re being paid. That results in a stressful situation because people accused of a crime need a lawyer who will give them proper representation and time. Criminal defense lawyers who spend time with their clients learning the facts of the case and understanding the why behind the accusation often have greater success in court. And sometimes, more is learned from visiting with the client at home rather than in an office setting. You should find a criminal defense lawyer who will go the extra mile to ensure you get the representation you’re paying for and deserve.
Reach out to Monks Law Firm for more on hiring a criminal lawyer in Houston!
Our team at Monks Law Firm has been practicing law for over 50 years and has tried more than 1,000 Class C jury trials. We have extensive legal experience that’s enabled us to become leaders in the Houston legal community. Our team includes an associate judge, chief prosecutors in multiple cities, and the Bar Association president.
Everyone deserves a fair trial. So, if you’re facing legal challenges, Monks Law Firm is here to provide friendly, experienced help. Give us a call today at 713-666-6657, or send us a message through our contact form to schedule a consultation with our team.
