If you're facing criminal charges, one of the most important things you can do is find the right Idaho criminal lawyers. However, it can be tricky to compare top criminal attorneys in Idaho. There are several ways you can look into a lawyer to see if they are the right attorney for your case. Here are four ways you can compare top criminal attorneys in Idaho:
Learn what kinds of criminal cases they specialize in
See how long they've been practicing law
Read about the experiences of other clients
Call the lawyer's office
Meet with the attorney in-person
Choosing the right attorney can greatly influence the outcome of your case. Read on to learn more.
Learn What Kinds of Cases They Specialize In
Perhaps the most important thing you can do to find the right kind of criminal lawyer is to learn what sorts of cases they regularly take. Some criminal defense attorneys will take all sorts of cases. However, most criminal defense attorneys do specialize in certain cases. For example, many criminal attorneys specialize in DUI cases. There are also criminal attorneys that specialize in misdemeanors and those that specialize in certain kinds of felonies. Learning which cases a certain lawyer specializes in should be as simple as visiting their website. If a lawyer does specialize in a certain kind of case, it will be prominently mentioned on their site.
See How Long They've Been Practicing
It is also important to see how long lawyers have been practicing. This information should also be readily available on their website. Obviously, you want to find an attorney who has a good deal of experience in the field. However, you don't necessarily need to rule out a young attorney. Keep in mind that an older attorney with a larger practice will not be able to give your case as much personalized attention as a younger lawyer with fewer cases.
Read About the Experiences of Other Clients
It is also important to read about the experiences of other clients when you are searching for the right attorney. Many attorneys will post testimonials from clients on their sites. You should read these carefully to see if the lawyer seems like they would be the right fit for your case.
Call the Lawyer's Office
If you are seriously considering hiring a certain attorney, you may want to give their office a call. Some lawyers will be able to speak with you personally and offer a free consultation over the phone. This will allow you to learn more about how they work and how they see your case. Even if you cannot speak with the attorney themselves, you can still ask their staff any questions you may have about the practice.
Meet With the Lawyer In-Person
The most important part of the attorney selection process is meeting the attorney in-person. You should make sure to research the attorney beforehand and try to speak to them over the phone, if possible. When you meet with the lawyer in-person for the first time, you will be able to give them all the details of your case and learn how they plan to handle it. Even if you meet with them in-person, you do not necessarily need to stay with them if things don't feel right. However, you should keep in mind that researching another lawyer and scheduling another meeting may take a while. You want to get a good attorney on your case as soon as possible.
The Next Steps
If you follow the tips laid out above, you have a good chance of hiring a lawyer that will represent you well. Now your lawyer will learn everything they can about the case. You may have to go to court in the near future, but your lawyer will be by your side. There is a good chance that your lawyer will discuss a plea deal with the prosecutor. Your lawyer will make a recommendation, but in this situation, it is your choice to accept the deal or go to trial.