Finding the Best Criminal Attorney For Your Needs

Certainly nobody likes to think about waking up one day and finding themselves in need of a criminal attorney but if it happens it's good to know that the residents of south Florida have choices. From the Fort Lauderdale attorney, Miami attorney, to West Palm Beach criminal lawyer, the southern areas of Florida have many excellent lawyers to take care of you if and when you ever need their assistance.

Sometimes being an attorney is a thankless job; some people see these lawyers as working for the bad guys. But in our country everybody has the right to a fair trial and that means everybody has the right to legal counsel. That legal counsel should be well educated in the many laws that govern each state and country. A Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer will need to know entirely different aspects of the law than a business lawyer from Boston. A Miami criminal lawyer will need to be well versed in litigation concerning felonies whereas a mortgage attorney will not need to know such things.

A well-educated attorney can make bad decisions that somebody made be less painful when it comes to trial and sentencing. It is the criminal attorney's job to support the innocents of the client and to make the job of the prosecutor more difficult. The burden of proof falls on the prosecutor and they must prove the clients guilt while the attorney supports the clients' innocents. Ultimately the client puts his life in the hands of his criminal attorney and that is why it's very important to make sure one has the best criminal lawyer you can get.

It is a misconception that criminal attorneys only have clients that are of the most deviant of offenders. This is not true. Certainly those accused of crimes such as murder, robbery, and rape need the assistance of a criminal lawyer but also those accused of white-collar crimes in business need the assistant of a knowledgeable criminal attorney as well. A good percentage of clients who seek the help of a criminal attorney are those who are accused of white-collar crimes such as business executive and those in the stock market.

There are many high profile cases that are spotlighted by the media; many criminal attorneys have made a name for themselves when representing one of these high profile cases. This is when a criminal attorney needs to have all his ducks in a row because all eyes are on him/her to see how he/she will represent the client and if he or she will win. Not all criminal attorneys like or even want a high profile case because they tend to be rather difficult cases. Being in the spotlight doesn't always work well for the defense.

It is safe to say that should you ever need an attorney you will want to get the very best in the business. If you need a criminal lawyer your life is on the line; a good attorney will help you get back your life.

Criminal Law - How Many Criminals Live in Your Neighborhood?

Criminal law always follows right after civil law and in most cases the government will file a lawsuit in a civil trial is not successful.there a many offenses that fall under the category of criminal law such as treason and espionage which falls into crimes against any one state. If you rape, murder or assault this falls into a crime against any one person. It allows you to punish the person who has committed a crime whether it is against any person or any state. There are many lawyers that specialize in criminal law and if you are in need of an attorney you want to find one that knows this type of law.

Learning about criminal law is easy to do once you have the right material to educate yourself. In some cases you may live in a neighborhood and want to know if there are any registered criminals that live in your area. You can go online and find a police record search that can help you get this information. It is always a good idea for you to be informed and know what the laws are so that you and your family can be protected. In many cases someone who commits a criminal offense will have to stand trial and accept whatever punishment the court decides.

Remember there are many reasons for you to educate yourself about criminal law. You may have defined an attorney one day they can help you or a family member who may be in trouble. It is always best to find a lawyer who is an expertise in this particular area of law.

Ten Ways to Know You've Found the Right Criminal Attorney

If you're in need of a criminal attorney and live in Miami, Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach (Florida), be sure to look for the qualities that make a successful, trustworthy criminal lawyer. After all, your reputation and possibly your livelihood are on the line if you've been accused of or arrested for a white-collar crime. Put your case in the hands of someone that knows the law and cares about your needs. Here are ten ways to know you've found the right lawyer.

1. Call the Florida State Bar or visit the official website to be sure your criminal lawyer has never been disciplined by the bar in the past.

2. Notice how well (or poorly) the attorney's staff members conduct their business and daily activities. Consider the receptionist's attitude and level of professionalism. Staff members should treat every client with respect regardless of who it is or the type of charges involved.

3. Be certain the lawyer you initially speak with will be your actual representative. If you hire a certain Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer based on his/her credentials and success record with previous cases, then you'll certainly want that particular lawyer to represent you personally.

4. Write a list of needs and wants to be sure your Miami criminal lawyer understands your goals and financial situation. For example, he/she might be able to work with you on a payment plan if your finances are low. Or, you might benefit from an initial free consultation before making a decision on how to move forward with your case. Some criminal attorneys offer advice by e-mail or phone, or are even available for meetings on weekends.

5. Choose a local criminal attorney if possible. For example, if you live in West Palm Beach, criminal lawyers that live and/or practice in West Palm Beach are likely your best ones to consult with about your case. Local attorneys tend to be more familiar with the court in your area, including procedures, officers, judges, prosecutors, etc. Knowing your attorney is familiar with the procedures in your local area will ease your mind when your day in court arrives.

6. Ask about malpractice insurance. If the Miami criminal lawyer you're considering doesn't carry this type of insurance, you might consider using another lawyer to be on the safe side. Don't be afraid to ask - an honest, professional lawyer should be willing to answer questions such as this without hesitation.

7. Look for affordability without sacrificing quality service. Not all criminal lawyers that are good at what they do charge outrageous fees. By doing a little homework, you can likely find one in your area that's both affordable and reliable.

8. Don't base your selection on advertising alone. Just because a particular criminal lawyer has the biggest display ad in the phone book, this gives no indication as to how well he will represent you in the courtroom. Base your decision on the lawyer's experience, credentials and referrals from others he has represented when possible.

9. Watch out for overbearing attorneys that try to coax you into taking their advice without carefully listening to your needs and wants. A good criminal lawyer will sincerely care about your needs, and he/she will listen to your explanations carefully and exercise discernment before blurting out answers.

10. Take time to make decisions. From choosing your criminal lawyer to making decisions with your lawyer about how to move forward in your case, don't hesitate to ask for a little more time to think things over. Choose a criminal lawyer that's willing to give you breathing room without pressure. When a court case is in process, it's not uncommon to prolong things while making decisions. It's important that you have ample time to think things through when making crucial decisions that may possibly affect you, your family and your business for years to come.

Use these ten tips to select a Miami, West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney who will represent you with utmost respect while considering all the details and circumstances related to your case. You only get one shot at finding the right Miami criminal lawyer!

Criminal Law - Keep the Public Safe From Felons

Criminal law involves different rules that can cause the prosecution of a person for acts identified as crimes by the government. People found guilty of committing a criminal act would be incarcerated, fined, or both. Committing a crime means violating public laws which are established by the federal government, the state or the local government. These include felonies such as murder and rape as well as misdemeanors such as petty theft or jaywalking. Most felonies are punishable by one to two years imprisonment while misdemeanors are punishable by less than a year inside the slammer or other lighter punishments such as community services depending on the weight and kind of crime committed.

Ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians were the first to write codes of laws but did not distinguish civil and criminal laws. Most violations of the written laws were punished accordingly by physical punishment such as whipping or caning, incarceration which may vary from a day to life, house arrest, paying damages, or execution. As the written laws developed and distinguished civil laws from criminal laws, criminal sanctions are enforced according to five objectives:

• Retribution - the aspect of making criminals pay for the crime they committed by placing them at some unpleasant disadvantage
• Deterrence - this aims to sufficiently penalize offender to discourage him and other offenders from committing the crime and other criminal behavior
• Incapacitation - criminals are taken away from the society so that the public can be safe from them. Prison sentences as well as death penalties serve this purpose.
• Rehabilitation - involves transforming an offender into a better citizen
• Restitution - this aims to repair any hurt inflicted to the victim by the offender such as paying for damaged properties or embezzled money.

The different crimes that fall under the criminal law statutes include:

• Appellate law
• White Collar Crime
• Bribery
• Counterfeiting/forgery
• Embezzlement
• Fraud
• Healthcare fraud
• Government fraud
• Murder/homicide
• Tax evasion
• Violent crime
• Theft/property crime
• Drug crime
• Juvenile crime
• Child abuse crime

In the United States, prosecutions for criminal law offenses are initiated by complaints issued by a judge or an indictment issued by a grand jury. However, felonies in Federal courts require indictment or a formal accusation based on the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Furthermore, the Sixth Amendment provides the criminal defendant with a right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the State in both state and Federal courts, to be informed of the nature and cause of accusations, to be confronted with the witnesses against him, to obtain witnesses in his favor, and to be given a right to a Counsel for his defense but can defend himself and act as his own lawyer.

How To Find A Criminal Defense Lawyer With 7 Key Questions

You can't believe it's happening to you. There's a pit in your stomach as the cop starts coming toward you and utters the words "I'm arresting you for a criminal offense."

Your mind starts racing with thoughts like " What in the world am I going to do? How is this going to affect my life, freedom, family, job? What can I do to protect myself? How do I decide on the right lawyer so I have the best legal help possible?"

Regrettably, this crisis is a possibility for anyone. Innocent people are charged with crimes as a result of many different circumstances, such as honest mistakes, or overzealous, or malicious actions by others. Good people also make mistakes and choose the wrong course of action in a difficult situation.

Whatever the case is, you sure enough need the best representation you can get.

All of a Sudden Nothing is More Important

You realize that a conviction will have ruinous effects on your life so it's important to seek the best attorney you can afford, whether you need an Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer (my state) or one who can represent you in another state of the U.S.

And even though you are "under the gun" to hire someone, this decision must be made with care. After all, if your life was threatened in a medical emergency, such as needing brain surgery, you probably wouldn't want the cheapest doctor to perform it. Moreover, you shouldn't choose an attorney based on who charges the least. At the same time, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to hire the most expensive person.

How Are You Supposed to Pick a Criminal Defense Attorney, then?

Should you hire your brother-in-law's estate planning lawyer, or the attorney who handled your high school friend's divorce? What about going to the yellow pages and picking the lawyer on the first page of the attorney listings, or the law firm with a two page ad?

I don't advocate any of those methods for someone charged with a criminal offense. The problem is that just because someone went to law school and passed the bar exam, that doesn't mean he or she is effective and experienced in criminal defense. Many have never set foot in a courtroom.

All Lawyers Are Not the Same

In the medical field there are doctors who specialize in certain parts of the body and so, too, many lawyers concentrate on just a few areas of the law. There are just too many types of law for someone to be an expert in every area.

Think of it this way. Do you really think that someone who spends most of their time writing and negotiating contracts for businesses would be as effective in the courtroom as a lawyer with decades of experience in criminal law?

What's more, when you hire an expert, you have to expect that the cost is going to be higher than hiring someone else with only a moderate amount of knowledge or experience.

That leads us to:

7 Key Questions to Find the Right Lawyer for your Criminal Defense

1. The first question to ask would be simply, How many years has the lawyer practiced criminal law.Someone with a fair number of years of experience, such as 10 years or more, would be preferred. Your future is too important to hand over your defense to a new law school graduate.

2. The second question you'll want to learn the answer to will be how many trials has the lawyer handled. This is important because your lawyer should be familiar and confident with the process. There are some so called "criminal lawyers" who rarely, or never go to trial and are known as "settling attorneys". Many times they aren't comfortable in trials, and even if it isn't best for their client, they find a way to settle without going to trial. The prosecution can sense that fear of going to trial, which can have a detrimental effect on possible plea bargaining for the client. Definitely, a lawyer who has tried 50 to 100 or more cases will maintain a stronger bargaining position.

3. Another thing you should determine is the number of jury trials the attorney has handled. Additional areas of expertise are needed in jury trial with facets like selecting jurors, and knowing how to be persuasive to jury members. As you can probably guess, more experience with jury trials is better than less. If your lawyer has handled 40 or 50 jury trials, he or she should have learned a lot about strategy in that area.

4. While you can certainly ask a potential lawyer about his or her experience, an even better way to determine that is is through a reliable certification process. Some states recognize specializations in different areas of law and if a lawyer qualifies according to the state's requirements, he can reflect that specialization in his marketing and advertising materials. However, many states don't allow specializations (including my state of Oklahoma). Fortunately, there is a national certification available through the National Board of Trial Advocacy This is a very rigorous certification process, requiring significant experience in criminal trials, a written exam, peer review and recertification every 5 years.

If a lawyer has achieved this certification, you have an unbiased third party validation of her experience, instead of having to rely simply on what the lawyer says about her ability.

5. Something else you should ask about is how and when the lawyer will communicate with you. Use the first consultation (which is often free, however be sure to ask ahead of time) to assess whether you will be comfortable and confident handing your case over to this person.

6. Make sure to ask if the lawyer you think you are hiring will actually be the one who is handling your case. This is important because some firms will have you talk to a lead lawyer initially and then give your case to a newer lawyer in the firm to handle. I believe a criminal charge deserves an experienced and seasoned lawyer, not someone just out of law school.

7. Ask about the costs involved. Find out whether the lawyer charges an hourly rate or a flat fee. Obviously, it is better for you, the client, to get a flat fee. That way you know exactly how much you need to pay as opposed to being concerned that the lawyer is trying to string things along in order to increase his fees. Also, determine what is covered in the flat fee, such as does that fee cover fees for a trial or will there be additional costs for that?

Remember if the lawyer's fee is much lower than others that it could be a red flag.

A much lower fee can mean he is not as experienced (not good for you), or he may handle a high volume of cases. The problem with the high volume situation is that he won't be able to spend as much time or attention on your case (also not desirable) as the lawyer who takes fewer cases but charges more.

I've also known of attorneys who entice clients by stating they will only charge a small amount such as $100.00 to go to court for you. However, they don't mention that you'll have to continue to pay them for every phone call or each document they do for you. And, pretty soon the total expense can be higher than a set fee charged by someone else.

A lower fee could also indicate that the lawyer is the "settling" kind of lawyer as I mentioned before, who won't go to trial even if its in your best interest. And since he knows he won't ever be going to trial he can charge less, as trials involve significantly more work.

I believe these questions will allow you to become informed in this important decision making process so you can find a criminal defense lawyer who will skillfully protect your rights and freedom.

How to Find the Best Criminal Law Solicitor For Your Case

Criminal law solicitors can deal with a wide variety of criminal offences such as serious crimes (e.g. murder), drug offences (e.g. possession and supply) and money laundering.

If you are accused of committing a criminal offence it is important to have the support and knowledge to help you through what can be a difficult time. It is therefore important that you find a criminal law solicitor who not only understands the area law of you are charged with but who can also support you through each stage, whether it be a police station interview, appearance in the Youth Court, Magistrates' Court, Crown Court or at the Court of Appeal.

Choosing the right criminal law solicitor for your case is an important task, as you do not want to be represented by someone who does not fully understand the areas of law you are charged with. You may also need to work closely with the solicitor so you will need to make sure that you can form a professional relationship with them. So to find the right criminal law solicitor for your case you may want to do some research.

First you should find a number of specialist criminal law solicitors firms that are local to you, and a few that are not - your preferred search engine should help you out here. Look through their websites and check that they can help you with the area of law you are charged or being investigated with. You may also want to do some further research by seeing if they've been mentioned on any other sites (such as review sites), however you may find that there is not much extra information out there because criminal law is a very private and confidential area of law.

After some research you should have narrowed your list down to a select few firms. The next stage is to give the firm a call and ask to speak to someone who can help with your enquiry. The solicitor or advisor may be dealing with a client or possibly be at court, and therefore unable to speak, so ask if you can arrange a telephone appointment at a more convenient time. This may also be a good time to ask about any costs that are involved, you may be entitled to Legal Aid.

Pick a criminal law solicitor who you feel comfortable talking to, you may have to spend a lot of time with them going through your case details so you need to feel at ease when talking about the case. An experienced and skilled solicitor will also help you feel comfortable in a very tense and stressful environment when it comes to police station interviews or court proceedings.

If you do find yourself facing criminal proceedings, it is not recommended that you handle the case on your own. Many issues can arise during the proceedings which only an experienced criminal law solicitor can deal with. There are many criminal law firms that can help you and make sure you get the best possible chance of defending yourself against the accusations you may face.

Florida Criminal Lawyer - 10 Things to Look for and Avoid when Hiring a Florida Criminal Attorney

There are many things to consider when hiring a Florida criminal attorney. The following is a list of some (but by no means all) of the things that you should consider when hiring a Florida criminal lawyer:

1. Be certain that the attorney you intend to hire actually handles criminal cases. Don't hire your divorce lawyer or the lawyer who drew up your will to handle your criminal case. You wouldn't hire a brain surgeon to operate on your heart would you? Because criminal defense is a specialized field of law, you need to hire a lawyer who specializes in this particular field.

2. Be certain that the Florida criminal lawyer you intend to hire handles the particular type of criminal case that you have. If you are charged with murder, don't hire a lawyer who does only drunk-driving cases. Find a lawyer instead who has experience handling murder cases. Or if you are charged with a federal crime, don't hire a Florida lawyer who handles crimes only in state court. Find a lawyer instead who has experience handling federal cases.

3. Be certain that the Florida criminal lawyer you intend to hire has a lot of experience handling your particular type of case. For example, even if the lawyer you intend to hire handles nothing but drunk-driving cases, did he or she graduate from law school three months ago and therefore has very little actual experience handling such cases?

4. Avoid hiring a Florida criminal attorney who promises you a specific outcome. It is impossible for a lawyer whom you have just met and who knows nothing about your case except what you have told him to tell you how your case will turn out with any degree of certainty.

5. If your goal is to resolve your case without a trial, you may not need to hire the best criminal trial lawyer in town. You may want to look instead for someone who has experience successfully negotiating your particular type of criminal case. On the other hand, if you definitely want to have a trial, be sure that the Florida criminal attorney you hire has significant experience trying cases and is not simply an "office" lawyer.

6. If you are hiring a specific Florida criminal lawyer to work on your case, make sure that that specific lawyer and not one of her associates is the lawyer who will actually be working on your case and going to court with you.

7. Hire a Florida criminal attorney whom you feel comfortable working with after meeting him and discussing your case. Don't hire a lawyer who is pressuring you to go to trial if your goal is to strike a satisfactory deal with the prosecutor as soon as possible. On the other hand, don't hire a lawyer who is pressuring you to take a plea bargain if what you really want is a trial.

8. Be sure that the Florida criminal lawyer you intend to hire has time to work on your case. If the lawyer you intend to hire is starting a month-long federal trial next week, he may not be the criminal lawyer best suited to represent you if your case requires a lot of work and your trial date is fast approaching.

9. Be certain that the Florida criminal attorney you intend to hire has a support staff that can adequately handle your case. Does the lawyer have, for example, a secretary, an investigator, a paralegal, and access to expert witnesses that may be needed in order to properly represent you at trial? If not, you may want to look for another lawyer.

10. If the Florida criminal lawyer you intend to hire is quoting you a fee that is a lot more or a lot less than the going rate, ask yourself why. If the fee being quoted is a lot more than the going rate, is it because the lawyer is that much better than her competitors? If she is not that much better, than why should you pay that fee? On the other hand, if the fee being quoted is a lot less than the going rate, is it because the lawyer is just starting out and has little experience handling your particular type of criminal case? If so, you may want to look for another lawyer.

How to See If Your Criminal Law Attorney Has the Qualities and Attributes Which You Want?

There are very many responsibilities that an attorney will take upon themselves, and based on those responsibilities they can be classified as different kinds of attorneys, criminal Law attorneys being one of them. A criminal law attorney is an attorney that deals with defining crime as well as handling them. There are a couple of things which are done by almost any branch of criminal law which can be listed as follows:

Defining the victim, finding out who executes the crime, and naming the crime itself.

Be aware of all the criminal procedures.

In order to be effective when dealing with your case, the criminal lawyer has to know how to do all of the things mentioned above. He has to be aware of all the criminal procedures that have to be done in order for the case to be dealt with successfully. He has to be able to conduct trial periods and the law core. Obviously, he has to now how to gather all the necessary evidence and the important facts which pertain to the crime.

A different section of criminal law is substantive criminal Law. What it does is it deals with punishments for various types of crimes. It is important for our criminal law attorney to be aware of all the facts that pertain to that specific law. This is the only way for him to be able to represent the people that he is supposed to represent well.

There are a lot of attributes that the criminal law attorney absolutely has to have. He needs to be able to care about the welfare of his clients. He has to actually put his heart and soul into each case which he is taking care of. He needs to be aware of the fact that he is always trying to work in the clients best interests. A good criminal law attorney has to be good with people, and needs to be able to communicate with them well and know to understand their various circumstances and backgrounds. He has to know and understand where they are coming from in life.

A great criminal law attorney is going to work really fast, because he doesn't have that much time to save his client from jail. He also needs to consider the fact that the client has a life, both professional and private and it is going to actually influence both of the aspect of his life. A good criminal lawyer will be discreet and will do everything for the clients to be able to get back to his life with as little moral or professional damage as possible. He will make sure that nothing that the client confesses to them becomes public. Even if the client happens to admit that he is guilty of the crime, the lawyer is never going to actually share that information.

Whenever he needs help, when facing criminal tax charges such as tax frauds, the criminal law attorney is going to be the person that you want to turn to. If he feel that the IRS is going to get after you, and then do what you need to do is seek the best representation possible so that you can actually avoid the charges or the penalty. Be sure you get the best criminal lawyer available for you, but also consider the fact that you don't want to pay too much.