Crime & how to select right lawyer | Gittens, de Beer & Associates

Have you been charged with a crime? Read our Gittens and Associates blog for recommendations on how to pick the right lawyer

How to pick the right lawyer if you have been charged with a crime

If you have been charged with a crime, the first thing you should do is hire a lawyer. Even if your case appears simple, a good criminal lawyer can help ensure you get a fair ruling in court. Here are some tips for selecting one.

Make a list of lawyers in your area

Do some online research to get the names of lawyers and law firms in your area. Talk to family, friends and colleagues and ask for their recommendations. You can also reach out to professionals and groups in the community that have dealt with the same legal issue you are facing.

If you don’t know where to start, the lawyer referral service of the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PLIAN) is a good resource. If you have limited financial resources, you may want to contact Legal Aid NL.

Take advantage of free consultations

Many criminal lawyers offer a free consultation. Such meetings allow you to determine whether you feel comfortable entrusting your case to a particular lawyer.

During the consultation, be sure to ask the lawyer about their experience handling cases of your kind. Criminal lawyers often have areas of expertise, and it is best to work with one that specializes in the type of charge you’re facing.

You should also talk to the lawyer about their fees and determine whether you can afford their services.

Prepare for your consultation

It is a good idea to take the following steps prior to your consultation:

• Write down what happened, being as detailed and honest as possible

• Gather any documents pertaining to your case

• Think carefully about how to best communicate the important points

• Prepare a list of questions for the lawyer

Reflect on the meeting

Here are a few questions you should ask yourself after the consultation:

• Did the lawyer answer all my questions?

• Were the explanations given in terms I could understand?

• Did the lawyer ask relevant questions and show that they understood my case?

• Did they give me options about how to proceed and let me choose between them?

• Did they treat me with respect?

It is also important that you get along with the lawyer and feel comfortable talking to them about your case.

Experienced criminal lawyers in Newfoundland

At Gittens & Associates, our lawyers focus their practice on a range of legal issues, from criminal law cases to child custody disputes. Our firm also provides legal representation in wills and estates, personal injury, medical malpractice, immigration law and a variety of other branches of the legal system. Contact us to schedule a free telephone call with one of our lawyers.