Experiencing criminal charges impacts a person’s life in some of the most profound ways, and in many ways, can be downright stressful. The criminal defense lawyer you hire can impact your experience considerably, both during the trial and after, a distinction I hope would be of utmost importance. In the endeavor of seeking legal assistance, many people unfortunately make mistakes that worsen their defense. To ease your search, I have put together a list of the top 7 mistakes to avoid when hiring a criminal defense attorney in Florida. These tips will help you find the right lawyer, whether you are facing criminal charges in Volusia County, Orange County, or Polk County!
Making Decisions Just Based on Price
Although budgetary factors are a critical focus area, hiring a criminal lawyer solely based on low rates can have negative repercussions. Experienced criminal defense law practitioners will spend both time and money creating a solid cas,e which is not cheap.
Why It’s A Mistake: Low representation comes with a great risk of lacking sufficient skills or resources to adequately address intricate charges.
What To Do Instead:
- Search for a criminal lawyer who has an appropriate fee structure.
- Confirm their level of experience matches your case needs.
At Smith Johnson Law PLLC, we have over 460 cases, and our success rate shows that affordability can be achieved without compromising quality.
Not Understanding the Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Experience Level
Not all criminal lawyers deal with all types of criminal cases, some focus on specific areas such as DUI or drug offenses, or even violent crimes. To some extent hiring a lawyer without checking his experience in your type of case will no doubt lead to awful results.
Why It’s A Mistake: A lawyer who lacks knowledge of your case may omit important details or defenses that should have been included.
What you should do instead:
- Inquire about the criminal lawyer’s previous results in those types of cases.
- Look for their website and their clients to get a sense of how they have rendered their work.
At Smith Johnson Law PLLC, we have served 385 esteemed clients with a range of DUIs and charges of felonies all over Florida.
Failure to Verify Reviews and Credentials
Having a professional-looking website or a well-written advertisement does not always mean that they are qualified. Not reviewing a lawyer’s credentials, certifications, and reviews puts you at risk of poor representation.
Why It’s a Mistake: An inexperienced or unlicensed attorney may take the case.
What to Do Instead:
- Check their credentials with the Florida Bar Association.
- Search Google, Avvo, Justia, and Yelp to find client reviews.
Ignoring Local Knowledge
There are differences between the Florida laws and the court processes that must be observed in every county. Hiring a criminal lawyer who is not experienced in your county may hurt your defense strategy. A good example is an attorney who is proficient in Miami-Dade County; this type of attorney will not likely be effective for a case in Volusia or Seminole counties.
The Mistake: Local criminal attorneys usually have contacts with the prosecutors, judges, and other court personnel, which is always an advantage for your case.
The Solution:
- Make sure that the lawyer is licensed to practice in your particular country.
- Inquire if they have done work in Duval, St. Johns, or Orange counties.
Neglecting to Pose the Right Questions
A lot of individuals tend to shy away during initial consultations and do not inquire about their lawyer’s strategy or approach, which is often the most important detail. This can put your expectations on the worst side of the spectrum.
Why It’s An Error: Having a lack of communication or having different expectations can cause a lot of irritation as well as create unfavorable outcomes.
What to Do Instead: Include questions such as:
- What is your approach towards my case?
- In a comparable case, what is your success rate?
- What is the best possible outcome I could obtain realistically?
At Smith Johnson Law PLLC, we aim to answer all your questions and set realistic expectations for your case during the free initial consultation.
Forgoing The Communication Factor and Availability
How professional criminal defense attorneys communicate and their availability are some of the most important factors to consider. An attorney who does not answer phone calls, or emails, or update you on the progress of your case may make you feel neglected.
Why It Is a Mistake: Communication breakdowns like this can result in very tight timeframes, confusion, or distrust in the provided defense.
What You Should Do Differently:
- Hire a lawyer who picks up their phone and updates you regularly.
- Look for their previous communications and their feedback comments.
At Smith Johnson Law, we ensure that our communication lines are open. You can contact us via phone directly at (407) 717-8557 or email asj@smith-johnsonlaw.com.
Waiting Too Long to Hire a Criminal Lawyer
Putting off hiring a legal adviser can be harmful to your case. By NOT hiring a criminal lawyer on time, you give the prosecutor ample time to prepare their arguments against you.
Why It’s a Mistake: Procrastination can make you lose evidence, miss deadlines, or provide insufficient time for your lawyer to work on things.
What To Do Instead:
- Reach out to a criminal attorney once you have been charged, or if you believe there’s an investigation against you.
- Take the first meeting as an opportunity to learn about what needs to be done and to build a plan.
Why Choose Smith Johnson Law PLLC to Help You Defend Yourself?
We, at Smith Johnson Law PLLC, appreciate that worrying about some legal charge can be quite stressful as well as full of uncertainty. We are proud to have won over 50 awards through our robust work of 385 clients, and additionally, we have 460 solved cases below our belt. Imagine the possibilities that can be achieved in Florida which is known for its complex legal situations.
Regardless of the charges in Orange County or Brevard County, our company will make sure your rights are exercised and respected with passion and professionalism.
When dealing with these common errors such as not exercising the right to remain silent, remember that for competent, trustworthy, and litigation-driven lawyers, Smith Johnson Law PLLC is the top option. Trust is an essential commodity and you should use it to protect your future by getting a criminal defense attorney and expert willing to help you.
