Understanding Your Charges
Before you can begin the process of finding the right criminal defense lawyer in Winston-Salem, you must first have a clear understanding of the charges you are facing. This includes the specific statutes or laws you have been charged with violating and the potential punishments associated with a conviction. Understanding your charges can help you determine the type of lawyer you need, the experience they should have, and what questions to ask during the interview process.
Depending on the charges you are facing, a guilty verdict has the potential to result in jail time, significant fines, loss of driving privileges, denial of employment, and more. Understanding and being aware of the potential consequences of a conviction can help you make an informed decision when selecting the right criminal defense lawyer.
Understanding Your Rights
Though your lawyer will be doing a lot of the heavy lifting in court, it is also important to understand your rights under the US Constitution and the applicable state laws. This includes knowing your rights to remain silent and the right to a criminal defense attorney. Knowing your rights and understanding how they can be used to help build your defense can help you make an informed decision.
Researching Winston-Salem Criminal Defense Lawyers
Once you clearly understand your charges, you can start researching potential criminal defense lawyers. There are a few different ways you can go about doing this research. For example, you may:
- Ask friends and family members for referrals
- Check the bar association website for qualified criminal defense attorneys
- Contact your local public defender’s office
No matter which route you choose, it is necessary to do your due diligence and research the lawyer’s background, experience, and reputation. Part of due diligence is searching for reviews online, reading through their website, and checking to see if they have any disciplinary actions against them.
Preparing to Interview Multiple Criminal Defense Lawyers
Preparing for your consultation is one of the most important steps in the process of finding the right criminal defense lawyer. Before meeting with a lawyer, be sure to prepare a list of thorough questions. These questions should include topics such as their experience in the applicable area of law, successful arguments they have made previously, their strategy for your case, and the estimated costs associated with their services.
Prepare a List of Questions
Each case is different, so it is critical to tailor your list of questions to the charges you are facing. For example, if you are facing charges of identity theft, you may want to ask about the lawyer’s experience in that area and what strategies they suggest for building a defense. You may also want to ask about their track record of success in similar cases and the costs associated with their services.
During the consultation, take notes on the answers to your questions and how the lawyer made you feel during the meeting. While you want to find a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer, you also want one who is personable and communicative. Additionally, these notes can help you discover new questions to ask in each subsequent consultation.
Hide Nothing
Even if you are embarrassed, be open and honest with the lawyer during the consultation. This includes disclosing any information that could potentially be relevant to your case. If the lawyer discovers new information during the trial that could potentially lead to a conflict of interest, it could result in the lawyer having to withdraw from the case.
As a result, your case may be delayed, which only adds to the expense of your defense. Therefore, being as open and honest as possible with the lawyer during the consultation is crucial.
Set a Time Limit
To make sure that you have enough time to properly interview each lawyer, set a time limit for each consultation. This will help you stay focused on the essential questions and keep the meeting from running too long. Additionally, if the lawyer goes over the allotted time, it may be a sign that they are not as organized or efficient as you had hoped.
Follow Up
Follow up with each lawyer after the consultation to ask any additional questions or provide any new information that may be relevant to the case. This will help ensure you have all the information necessary to make an informed decision about which lawyer to hire. Additionally, it is a good way to gauge the lawyer’s response time and communication style.
Don’t Face Criminal Charges Alone — Contact a Winston-Salem Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
If you are facing criminal charges, you don’t have to go through it alone. King Law in Winston-Salem can provide you with experienced legal representation and protect your rights. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers are here to guide you through the criminal justice process and help you make informed decisions about your case.
We will fight for you and do everything we can to get you the best outcome possible. Don’t face criminal charges alone—fill out our contact form or give us a call at (888) 748-5464 or (888) 748-KING to arrange a consultation.