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26 Apr, 2015 by William
This is an actual client writing. I had an easily winnable case but he gave me false information that lead to a conviction. I will even give a breakdown: I was in a friend's car who had drugs in it. No drugs were found on or around me, only in the car (obviously, my friend's drugs). Reilly advised me to take what's called a stipulated trial where Reilly said the judge is supposed to read the police report and base his judgement off of that. The judge DID NOT read the police report (in fact, he brought a separate defendant with a completely different case for judgement) and I was found guilty. So I appealed the case and when it came time for actual trial, he tricked me into withdrawing the appeal because "enough time had passed without me getting in trouble, I should have gotten a default judgement that I would get acquitted". However, this did not happen and now I have a drug charge on my record that I should not have. He wanted to do the least amount of work possible and basically stole $2000 from me. DO NOT USE THIS ATTORNEY FOR ANY CASE.
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28 Aug, 2014 by Matthew
I was convicted, unjustly, of a Misdemeanor 1 in the State of PA. Reiily did not know the laws or the consequences of the conviction. He told me that I would be able to have my gun rights reinstated at the end of my probation. It was all a lie!
Do not use this shyster. he will not go the extra mile to have you exonerated and do not trust him to know the laws.
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21 Apr, 2011 by Anonymous
Only knowing of the accused charge, he was only set on me taking a plea deal without even asking for the details of the arrest which was unlawful. Did not keep me informed of a bench warrent for my arrest. Will do less work as possible.
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08 Apr, 2020 by Dillon
She was appointed to me through Laurel Legal services. She never once listened to our side of the story, looked at the 10 years of paperwork I acquired through raising my daughter and keeping records of everything along the way. Then when we went to court she treated the opposing lawyer as a friend, saying he is a good friend of mine from outside of work. She was constantly rude, spoke down to myself and my wife and in the end I ended up firing her and representing myself. I lost custody of my child and I DO blame her. She never even tried to listen. Please, find another lawyer. For your best Interest.
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26 Mar, 2015 by Tina
Spend your hard earned money elsewhere on credible, legal representation. But if you enjoy being talked to in a rude, condescending manner, she's your girl! Not to mention her rate of $150 an hour fresh out of law school, however, that doesn't matter when Dad owns the practice. We sought out this firm from a referral (some friend that is) for a family law/custody issue. She spent the first half hour of the consultation reviewing the previous custody docket and reiterating things we already knew. Then offered little advice as to what to actually do? Then proceeding to bluntly say that we were in this situation because we never followed up with the next steps...I thought that is why you pay an attorney so they can cover all these bases. Needless to say, we wasted $150 dollars on an hour long consultation consisting of her going in circles, talking down to us and telling us information we already knew. After feeling inferior and quite stupid, she then extends her offer to represent us. Why in the world would we want the likes of you and the manner you conduct your pretentious self in to represent us?!? Upon leaving, she kindly made a copy of the PA Child Support brochure and gave us that. Most expensive piece of paper I've ever bought. Sadly, I am not done yet. As if our experience wasn't rude and degrading enough, the support brochure she provided us with was for the wrong county. In the hour she wasted our time and reviewed a docket we were all too familiar with, she still couldn't even manage to get the county correct. If you are considering this firm, I'd bypass entirely but if not, schedule an appointment with Old Man Catalano; I am sure he has far more experience and professionalism. Last but not least, don't even bother telling her your name, she wont get it right no matter how many times you say it and most certainly DO NOT try to pay with cash, she can charge $150 an hour for her useless services but can't make change for $160.
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02 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
There is just so much, I don't have the time or effort to write everything, but here it goes. This guy promises you the world and then literally does absolutely NOTHING, but make things worse. I gave him all the necessary information he asked for, but he never once read it and would ask me where the mother f'in paperwork was that he asked me for every time he talked to me. I would tell him every time that I both emailed it and gave him a hard copy. He would then blame his secretary for losing it, even though she was not involved at all and I gave everything to him first hand. He is so bad that even my ex wife's attorney, (whom I was against in court getting divorced), said something to him more than once in my defense via emails. Mr. Banks continually and randomly mother f'd me for absolutely no reason until I had to tell him to stop doing that and then he still did it a couple times. "I recorded him doing it a few times I talked to him about the case and also right before we entered the courtroom". All he wanted was to get paid as fast as possible at anyone's expense but his, because we had an agreement that he would not be paid until he did what I asked and everything was over. Everything I asked my ex for was agreed upon ahead of time, so there was no battling in court, but he "conveniently forgot" for over 6 months to follow through with anything, so nothing got done at all. My wife's attorney offered to give me 75% of assets incurred during our marriage since it was her that wanted out of the marriage through no fault of mine. I said that that would be acceptable and have it in writing. We show up for court and Mr. Banks is hitting on or harassing every woman there and embarrassing everyone around him, (like he was drunk or on drugs). We get into the courtroom and he tells everyone that we are just going to split everything 50/50 so there is no confusion and (HE) can get paid quicker. Not like I could fire him at this point, so just took the loss. My wife's attorney just looked at him and shook his head, but then of course agreed because it was better for his client. So now I am going back to court against Mr Banks, with emails, recordings and witnesses to see if I can get his license revoked and how much he is entitled to be paid since he represented his own interests and not mine. He wanted double of what any other lawyer asked for. Terrible, terrible person and just don't understand how he could possibly be allowed to practice. READ THE REVIEWS ON HIM!!! Only good ones are his family. He even went through 3 secretaries in the 3 months I discussed my case with him. I definitely know why.
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02 Jan, 2023 by Anonymous
WORST ATTORNEY EVER. Complained about working "for less money" as I am pregnant and I am having a c section and trying to get a rental. I went through Neighborhood Legal Services and so it was discounted to save my son from his dad's horrible housing situation. The point of discounted is for individuals who need help but can't afford $2500-$4000 for a retainer.
He made a vast amount of threatening and inappropriate statements to me and my mother in office. We spent hours sitting with him so he could type up the case and have the story straight to explain to the judge my son should be with me. He told me he was going to file an emergency petition so my son couldn't leave the state. He had me highlight the conversations where I stated I did not give my ex permission to enroll him in school via the co parenting app.
He ended up giving my case to my ex when I have full custody per the legal parenting plan. Substantial evidence was provided to my attorney to prove I live with my mother in Beaver County and he NEVER presented them to the judge to show her that I was a resident. He also did not summon my witnesses to provide more evidence of my residence and my fiance who was willing to truthfully testify the west Virginia house was his. My ex said I lived in West Virginia, which was my fiance's residence, and they ran with that when I HAVE ample proof.
The judge interviewed my son off record and he stated we stayed at the residence out of state not LIVED there, and the judge counted that as I lived there. The attorney did not even show her my evidence. He was hitting on the other attorney and laughing with her instead of caring about my son's well being. My ex kept my son from talking to me and he did not know about the residence situation. He thought I would have moved in there, but my son didn't know that I stayed at my mother's and my fiance moved in with us because I'm having a baby.
I took my ex for contempt charges for with holding my son in 2020 and I dropped the contempt charges because he sent him home and was threatened to send him home or jail time. I provided that evidence as well as a bunch of other evidence.
My ex had NO relationship with my son for 5 years of his life, then started tons of drama and lies. My ex had an attorney fire HIM because he got caught in his lies.This attorney will take your money and screw you. Do not hire you will regret it cause money is everything to this greedy man.
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18 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
He told my fiance if he plead to a summary and he had no other technical parole violations he would go home well that did not happen at all hes still gone and for nothing.........
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28 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
I was not misrepresented, I was not represented at all.He did not talk to me before my trial . I tried many times to contact him . He would not return my phone calls.He did not argue my case . I was very disappointed .as a result I got a severe sentence. He did not do anything for me.A poor public defender .
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28 Aug, 2022 by Ant
He sold me out and took my money. He even had the audacity not to even show up to 1 of my court hearings
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20 Jul, 2013 by Sunny
THIS LAWYER IS THE WORST, I HIRED HIM FOR CRIMINAL AND A CUSTODY MATTER AND ALL I WAS TO HIM WAS A PAYCHECK. HE DID NOT FIGHT FOR ME OR STAND UP FOR MY RIGHT HE JUST TOOK A PAYCHECK. THIS GUYS SUCKS, DONT HIRE HIM. GET A LAW FIRM THAT KNOWS WHAT THEIR DOING!
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05 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
This attorney only cared about the opinions of her peers the entire time she was representing me. She was unprepared and led me to believe that she had everything under control for several months. I kept feeding her useful and valuable information for my defense and all my efforts seem to go into a black hole . She was unprofessional, disorganized, and completely detached from my case. If I had hired another attorney who cared and had some ethical obligation to do their job, I have no doubt that the outcome of my case would have been different. Other attorneys that took over for her were shocked at her incompetence. I would strongly recommend not using this attorney if you want to be represented fairly by an attorney. She was truly an embarrassment and a public defender would have been a much better choice in this case.
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03 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
I hired Charles Nistico to help me with my DUI case and was passed off to Wendy Roberts To finish my case. When we went to court to to plea, Wendy was either misinformed, wasn't paying attention, or just didnt care enough about the case for the following reasons. She gave me wrong information on how long my license would be suspended. She gave me wrong information on how long I would be on probation. I had to find these two facts out when it was way too late to do anything about it. When I went to get my license back, it was suspended 6 more months then she informed me it would be. I was on probation 2 more years then she told me I would be. I got more probation time then ax murders get. When you pay good money for an attorney you at the very least want them to correctly inform you of your sentence. She basically just showed up and stood there. In the end, a public defender would have at least correctly informed me of my sentence and there was absolutely no advantage in hiring her. I got the maximum on everything. I believe a public defender would have actually helped me more. I contacted Wendy to at least help me get a work licence, by phone and by mail and got no response. Please use another attorney that cares! I have nothing against Wendy personally, but a bad attorney can severly affect your life as it did mine. Thank you
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24 Jul, 2019 by James
Mr. Hylan represented me in a P.C.R.A. (post conviction relief) action against an illegal sentence on a criminal case. He started out slow to file documents but to his credit he did finally get the paperwork done and filed and I had my day in court. At the hearing the judge found that the sentence was indeed illegal. No other finding was possible (1). For reasons unknown to me she denied the petition and set the stage for an appeal to the upper courts. She probably did not want to disturb the original judges decision and so shifted the burden to the upper court as is common. Mr. Hylan told me he was going to handle the appeal as it was his legal obligation to do so. It again took a long time for him to complete the filing and when he did so he "forgot" to include the requisite 1925b statement. The 1925b is a statement of issues of complaint and is the very root of an appeal. I put "forgot" in quotes because for a criminal defence attorney to "forget" the 1925b is like forgetting to get dressed before driving to work. It is nearly impossible. He sent me a letter saying "oops"! The case was denied by the upper court and I was thusly denied "meaningful judicial review" as is my Right in PA. Then when he was graciously afforded the opportunity to rectify the error by the superior court, he failed to do so. He promised me in my panicked phone conversations that he "was on it". My fatal error was my continued faith in him. I had a winning case and I quite probably served an extra 2 years in prison and parole because "oops" he "forgot".
(1) Noteworthy also: A P.C.R.A. is, as a matter of rule, prepared by the inmate who has the burden of, doing all the legal research, writing it all in legal format, and filing it with the courts who then appoint an attorney only if merit is found. Mr Hylan told me that my filed petition was so well prepared that he would have little to do on this case and it was a winning case. It was indeed a "slam dunk" case but he blew it.
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06 Apr, 2009 by Anonymous
So far, two other clients fired him for lack of representation. He said he'd write up a will for my parents, but took a year to do it. Not only that, but he never had it notarized, nor did he inform my parents that they had to get it notarized, which caused a great deal of trouble after my dad died. I, unfortunately was arrested once. He actually said, "Well, something wasn't right with the arrest...It wasn't a clean arrest...not a good arrest..." He never went further with this. He just informed me that I was a victim of a bad arrest. He never helped me. I could have gone through the justice system myself without even having a lawyer instead of an incompetent one such as Joe Hylan.
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11 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
I agree with the other reviewer. He does not follow up or follow through. and he does so callously without regard to the lives he might be ruining. Avoid unless you're an easy case. This guy is negligent.
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27 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Woodward is a terrible communicator. He is all about taking the easy road (whichever road is easiest for him). I do not recommend Mr. Woodward as he is very distant and detatched from his cases. He was recommended by many friends however he was a big disappointment. I suggest you look elsewhere.
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19 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
He was on my husband case for about 1 year and when I say he did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING… only time he answer your phone calls or questions is if it’s money involved he has a nasty attitude along with a smart mouth you literally have too stalk this man just too get a simple reply..His office looks like a hole in the wall and it doesn’t have a pleasant smell I don’t see how this man was a lawyer for all this time he’s HORRIBLE I would not recommend hiring him oh he even was suspended for fake signatures of one of his clients bail Look it up if you don’t believe me…..
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07 Mar, 2015 by Pissed
Mr Chisholm
At first seem to be very good. That is until he showed up late to every court case . Atleast two of the Times my case was postponed was because of him then he charged me extra for the the case lasting so long. Long story short, he beat the case but i had 4000 confiscated from me.he told me to sign the money over to him because it made it easier to get back the money and insure that he would get paid his cut once he got it back.well it's been two years i have not received a dime of my money. I haven't received a court date and he will not return my calls. I read another review that he did this to another women .I going to get another lawyer and sew Mr Chisholm for my money if this had happened to you contact me
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07 Jun, 2017 by Scott
I hired Mr. Jenkins in December of 2016 to help me with an issue with my son being attacked and injured by another student in school. At first Mr. Jenkins was very helpful with dealing with the school district. After the school district was dealt with we proceeded to deal with the charges pressed against the child and the subsequent lawsuit to be filed after the criminal hearings. Over the 3 months this has taken place, Mr. Jenkins would always talk to me on the phone and tell me what to do or who to call. Over time Mr. Jenkins was very back and forth about a lawsuit saying we could go after the parents, then maybe even go after the school district too, then to say we may not be filing a lawsuit at all. At no point was Mr. Jenkins taking this case as contingency, it was all an hourly fee. Over the 4-5 month period and $4,000+ later, Mr. Jenkins calls me to inform me that he feels I should find another law firm to handle these issues. The only thing Mr. Jenkins did in this case was write 3 letters and talk to the school district's attorneys 2 or 3 times. Other than that it was just telling me what to do and that all cost me over $4,000!!!!
With an absolute lack of professionalism for him to just dump me in the middle of this case I will NEVER refer anyone to Mr. Jenkins or his firm due to their unethical practices.
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11 Dec, 2016 by Margaret
Art was my first divorce attorney, who I fired for incompetence. He advised me to keep all kinds of notes on my ex and how he was alienating my kids. When my ex would bad mouth me and emotionally abuse my kids, I begged Art to do something. He was always "too busy."
The day before a hearing, Art had his secretary call and tell me if I didn't pay my bill in full (all of my assets were in joint games,which means I had to wait to pay Art), art would not show up to represent me. I had to take a loan from my 401k and had to prove I made the request before he came to court.
I paid Art over $50k in legal bills. He messed up filing some paperwork and had to fix it. He charged me $2500 to fix his mistake. He sued me, adding $7500 for his fees (???) and now wants me to fly in from out of state.
This guy is a has been. He will manipulate you and will come after you if you don't do everything he says. He is unreasonable, nasty and arrogant. He did a terrible terrible job. He will suck you dry. Divorce is hard enough, dont make it harder on yourself by hiring Art Jenkins. He is everything people hate,about lawyers.
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21 Apr, 2016 by Maxine
This guy is a joke and needs his license revoked! I learned about him after his office sent out a postcard advertising his services which he receives a list of new defendants from the court's to throw his fishing line at. Well I caught the bait.... He made everything sound good to get my money! I signed over my bail money to him $3,500! For a pre-trail and that was it! He never had a consultation with me and got to court and tried to wing it, embarrassing me and himself. I decided to fire him and ask for a refund. He refuses to sign over my bail money and on top of it he has a nasty attitude and is very unprofessional. DO NOT PAY HIM A DIME OR SIGN OVER ANYTHING. HE WILL NOT WORK FOR YOU!!!!
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10 Jan, 2015 by Harry
I paid Lorusso to represent me in a case.. At a hearing, judge gave him six weeks until next hearing
to submit required paperwork. I called him twice during that period to remind him about the paperwork.
He made no effort to get that paperwork. I was sent to jail for thirty days. After getting out, I terminated him, and got representation from Public Defenders. My case was subsequently dismissed and dropped
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11 Mar, 2014 by Melbern
Mel Kardos is a terrible attorney. He does not return calls, does not keep client informed of case, does not act in the best interest of the client, and his secretary Diane is as rude as they come, and they lie.
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21 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
Brian was hired for a custody matter which he has no knowledge of. He lied to us, failed to do the work that he should have been done to protect a 2 yr old from being abused continually. 1 comment was that he doesn't believe in PFA's?!?!?! He raked us dry and drug out the process that didn't need to be. His brother was in trouble with the Supreme Court for lying...I guess it runs in the family!!
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You
A criminal defense lawyer provides legal representation to individuals or organizations accused of criminal conduct. If you're facing criminal charges, a defense lawyer will work to protect your rights, build a defense strategy, and ensure you receive a fair trial. Their primary goal is to reduce or dismiss charges, secure an acquittal, or negotiate a favorable plea deal.
Criminal defense lawyers have extensive knowledge of criminal law and court procedures. They investigate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, and represent you in court, ensuring that you have the best possible defense.
When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
It’s crucial to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if you are facing any criminal charges. Some situations in which you should seek legal representation include:
- Arrest or police questioning: If you've been arrested or are under investigation, hiring a lawyer early on can prevent self-incrimination and protect your rights during police questioning.
- Felony charges: Crimes such as murder, assault, drug trafficking, or robbery carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences. A defense lawyer is essential in these cases.
- Misdemeanor charges: Even for less serious offenses like DUI, theft, or simple assault, a lawyer can help reduce penalties, negotiate alternatives to jail, or get charges dismissed.
- Plea negotiations: If you’re considering a plea bargain, a lawyer can evaluate the deal, advise you on its consequences, and negotiate for more favorable terms.
- Probation or parole violations: If you’ve been accused of violating probation or parole, a lawyer can defend you against additional penalties or revocation.
- Juvenile offenses: For minors charged with criminal acts, a criminal defense lawyer can protect their future by minimizing legal repercussions or keeping the case in juvenile court.
What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?
Criminal defense lawyers provide comprehensive legal services to protect their clients’ rights throughout the criminal justice process. Their duties include:
- Case evaluation and investigation: Reviewing the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and investigating the facts to develop a strong defense strategy.
- Legal advice: Advising you on your rights, the charges you’re facing, and potential defense strategies, including whether to take a plea deal or go to trial.
- Negotiating plea bargains: Working with prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal that could reduce charges or minimize penalties.
- Court representation: Representing you in all court hearings, including bail hearings, pretrial motions, trials, and sentencing hearings.
- Filing motions: Filing motions to dismiss charges, suppress evidence, or reduce bail, depending on the specifics of your case.
- Trial preparation and defense: Preparing a defense strategy and presenting arguments, evidence, and witnesses during trial to contest the prosecution's case.
- Appeals: If you are convicted, a defense lawyer can appeal the conviction or sentence, arguing errors in the trial process or legal rulings.
How Are Criminal Defense Lawyers Paid?
Criminal defense lawyers generally charge clients in one of three ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Payment structures include:
- Flat fee: For straightforward cases (e.g., minor misdemeanors), some lawyers charge a one-time flat fee that covers all aspects of the defense.
- Hourly rate: For more complex or ongoing cases, lawyers may charge by the hour, with rates varying based on the lawyer’s experience and geographic location.
- Retainer fee: In cases where extensive work is expected, the client may pay a retainer fee upfront. The lawyer then bills against that retainer for their work on the case.
The cost of criminal defense services can vary greatly, so it’s important to discuss fees during your initial consultation.
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer depends on several factors, including the severity of the charges, the complexity of the case, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost guidelines are:
- Misdemeanor cases: For relatively minor offenses, such as a DUI or petty theft, a flat fee may range from $1,500 to $5,000.
- Felony cases: More serious charges, such as assault or drug trafficking, can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity and duration of the case.
- Hourly rates: For cases billed by the hour, lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on their expertise and the case's location.
- Additional expenses: You may also be responsible for other costs, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or the cost of private investigators.
Be sure to clarify the lawyer’s fee structure and any potential additional costs during your consultation.
Top Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Before hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you’ll want to ensure that they’re a good fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask:
-
What is your experience with cases like mine?
Make sure the lawyer has a strong track record with the specific type of criminal charges you’re facing, whether it’s DUI, drug offenses, or violent crimes. -
What is your fee structure?
Ask how the lawyer charges for their services and whether you’ll be responsible for any additional costs. -
What are the potential outcomes of my case?
A good lawyer should provide an honest assessment of your case and the likelihood of dismissal, a plea bargain, or conviction. -
How many cases have you taken to trial?
While many criminal cases settle with a plea deal, it’s important to hire a lawyer with courtroom experience in case your case goes to trial. -
Who will handle my case?
Ask if the lawyer will be personally involved or if other attorneys in the firm will handle most of the work. -
How do you communicate with your clients?
Be clear on how often and through what channels you can expect updates on your case.
How to Check the Credibility of a Criminal Defense Lawyer
To verify the credibility of a criminal defense lawyer, take the following steps:
- Check their standing with the state bar: Confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with your state’s bar association. Look for any past disciplinary actions or complaints.
- Read online reviews and testimonials: Platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google can provide insights from previous clients about the lawyer’s communication, professionalism, and case outcomes.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should have past clients or other professionals who can speak to their competence and work ethic.
- Review their case history: Look at the lawyer’s website or professional profile to see their experience with criminal cases, including high-profile or complex cases.
- Look for trial experience: If your case might go to trial, make sure the lawyer has a strong history of courtroom advocacy and success.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your first consultation with a criminal defense lawyer, bring the following:
- Details of your case: Be prepared to provide a detailed account of the charges against you, including any documents related to your arrest, police reports, and court dates.
- Criminal history: If you have any prior criminal convictions, inform your lawyer so they can understand how that may affect your current case.
- List of witnesses or evidence: If there are any potential witnesses or evidence that may support your defense, share this information during the consultation.
- Questions for the lawyer: Prepare questions about their experience, legal strategy, and fees to ensure you understand how they will handle your case.
- Bail or release documents: If you’ve been released on bail, bring any paperwork related to your release conditions or restrictions.
By being well-prepared, you can help your lawyer quickly assess your situation and begin building an effective defense strategy.
