Criminal Defense Attorney in NYC
How To Evaluate A Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are accused of a crime, no matter how small, you should have a quality lawyer working hard on your side. But not every New York City criminal defense attorney will be a good match for you and your case. Every lawyer's background is different, and the only way to determine if someone is right for you is by taking a look at their past experiences.
Looking for a lawyer is always done during periods of stress, but that should not cause you to choose an unqualified attorney. You should look for a lawyer with broad experience in a variety of criminal cases, not someone who has been limited to one type of crime. Your lawyer may not be able to handle the complexity of your case without many years of experience with many types of criminal law. At the same time, be sure any NYC criminal defense lawyer you consider does have experience with cases similar to yours.
Lawyers are busy, but you should never hire a criminal defense attorney in New York City without meeting him or her first. It is very important that you are comfortable around and can trust your attorney before you make the decision to hire him or her. You should be able to go over your case and ask your potential lawyer any questions you need to make this decision confidently. A poor working relationship with your lawyer could leave you feeling unsure of your defense, which will not have a positive effect on your case.
Questions to consider when interviewing NYC criminal defense attorney
You should always have a consultation with a potential New York City criminal defense lawyer before you hire one so that you can ask any questions you may have about the lawyer's experience and ability to handle your case. The following are questions you should ask before you hire a lawyer:
- How long have you been in practice? Much of a lawyer's ability comes from experience, not school.
- What kind of law do you practice? Your lawyer should specialize in criminal defense.
- How many cases will you handle at once? The more cases your lawyer has open, the less time will be devoted to yours.
- Will you appear with me in court? Do not pay for a high-profile attorney only to be represented by an inexperienced associate.
- How many of your cases actually go to trial? It may benefit you to go to trial or to settle, but if your lawyer only does one or the other, you should be suspicious.
- How many of your cases were similar to mine? Your attorney should not be learning something new from working with you.
- Have you ever been disciplined by the Bar Association? You should always look at any public and private disciplinary acts taken against you potential attorney. Also take into account malpractice lawsuits or other breaches of trust with former clients.
Contact A NYC Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
You should never settle for less than an experienced NYC defense attorney you can trust. Bernfeld, DeMetteo, and Bernfeld has 75 years of experience with criminal defense in NYC.
Contact us if you want to speak with a New York City criminal attorney today.
