For clients who have millions of dollars at their disposal, seeking out an experienced and qualified team of criminal lawyers will be a simple task.
Like any other industry, this is a system where higher levels of representation can be sourced, but for a price.
For the general citizen who requires a solicitor in their corner, there are other methods that can help identify a quality attorney from an underwhelming one.
Each practitioner will be able to promote themselves to the community with a lovely image, but finding the substance is another task altogether.
Here we will look at some useful and strategic tips for those in the market for reliable criminal lawyers.
Ask Other Lawyers
The first step might be an unusual one for those citizens who are in the market for criminal lawyers, but industry insiders have the best knowledge about a practice and their expertise than anyone else. It is advised that individuals who need to defend their position seek out solicitors who do not have a conflict of interest, but open a dialogue with those who can issue recommendations based on their past experiences and examining their track record. Reputations in this industry span far and wide and other legal representatives will be able to gauge the good from the bad fairly quickly.
Speak to Personal References
The other party who should seriously be consulted in relation to seeking criminal lawyers are personal references. This can arrive in the form of family members, close friends or colleagues who have dealt with similar matters or have a reference for a practitioner. If they can vouch for their credibility, then that is a sound starting point to add them to the shortlist.
Conduct Online Search
In 2019 there is no excuse not to run an online search for criminal lawyers to see where they sit next to their peers and what reputation has been forged over the years. It will not be entirely representative of their credibility, but sites that offer reviews, ratings and feedback will be valuable for clients that need to know who they are investing their livelihood in. It is recommended that searchers pay close attention to what strengths and weaknesses are present in their service, because that type of track record can be repeated if it is broadcast to the wider public.
Engage Associations and Services
There will be local legal associations and services who are designed to guide individuals towards a representative that will be for them. Whether this is in dense metropolitan areas of Australia, in suburban communities are isolated in rural regions, there will be professional bodies and public services whose task is to put clients in touch with solicitors. Whilst these outlets cannot do all of the heavy liftings, they are a great cross-reference checking point that allows citizens to see where a firm sits on the industry spectrum and where there could be pro bono operators in the area.
Speak With Candidates
In order to feel genuinely confident and comfortable with the criminal law expert that a client has shortlisted, it is strongly advised to sit down for an appointment with the specialist. In most cases, these discussions will come with no obligation or even fee, and it is those operators who open their doors without any strings attached who make the best first impressions. Assess their candour and honesty as well as their certifications and history managing similar cases, spanning fraud and breaking contracts to assault and manslaughter charges or domestic violence matters. It is one aspect to consume their marketing jargon and read the headlines, but it is only by opening a dialogue that real progress can be made.