26 September 2018
 Categories: , Blog

You may think that you have been 'squeaky clean' in your life up until this point and are, by any definition, a law-abiding citizen. You wouldn't dream about bending the rules in any situation, let alone breaking the law of the land, and you're glad that you've never seen the inside of a courthouse before. However, life can be very unpredictable and here you are in a spot of legal bother, so you need to get some expert help to represent you. But where should you start?

Horses for Courses

If you've been accused of a crime that you fully believe you did not commit, you will undoubtedly want to engage the services of a lawyer. However, you do need to be a bit more specific first as while there are generalists available, it would probably help you to choose someone who is an expert in your area. After all, there is a great deal at stake here, and you want somebody who can get up to speed in your case as soon as possible.

Only Get the Best

You may only have experienced a courtroom from in front of a television screen, but you know that they can be challenging environments. If you've been accused of a crime that is relatively serious, you will want to ensure that your lawyer is very adept when you're on the stand. In other words, the more serious the charge, the more active, experienced, knowledgeable and recognised your lawyer should be.

Face-To-Face

You don't have to make your choice by surfing the Internet, however, as you will be given the opportunity to meet each lawyer first for an exploratory discussion. Typically, this meeting will be free or at least can be applied to any subsequent costs, but it will give you a good feeling for not just the individual in question but their supporting operation as well.

Think Twice about Pro Bono

It goes without saying that this type of charge is unwelcome, but you may be further worried by the potential cost involved as you defend your position. In this case, should you consider getting somebody to represent you on a pro bono basis instead? Just remember before you go down this route, that while these attorneys are undoubtedly competent, they may not have the experience or the backup that others may have. Typically, a solicitor who works on a pro bono basis is doing so to build up experience and this may not serve you best in this situation.

…and Never DIY

While it may be difficult to do so, you should try and refrain from self-analysing your case through the search engines. You may well be able to uncover a lot of previous case history, and you may even think that you can defend your case yourself due to your new-found knowledge. However, you mustn't underestimate your lawyer's many years of experience. They could use their ability to seek a reduction in charges due to a technicality, or even try to make this whole thing 'disappear' magically.

Start Your Research

Take the first step to dissolving this nightmare and find the best lawyer possible to help you.