How to Hire a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Being accused of a federal crime is a serious matter. When hiring a federal criminal defense attorney to defend you against criminal charges, remember that not all attorneys are equal. Suppose the FBI or another federal agency has arrested you. In that case, it is essential you are represented by a well-respected federal criminal defense attorney who can ensure you understand the nature of the charges against you.

A skilled attorney will fight aggressively for your rights and help you obtain the best possible outcome in your case. It may be one of the hardest things you will ever have to do to face criminal charges in federal court, and you need an attorney in your corner who will ensure you understand what lies ahead.

When charged with a federal crime, the first thing you should do is hire a criminal defense attorney. You will want to search for an attorney specializing in their practice in law that applies to your case. You should make sure the attorney has experience handling cases like yours. For example, suppose you are facing charges in federal court for a white-collar crime, sex crime, drug-related offense, violent crime, or fraud offense. In that case, you will benefit from hiring a criminal defense attorney with experience handling these types of charges at the federal level.

However, you should not make the mistake of getting too specific. For example, suppose you are accused of a drug-related crime such as drug trafficking. Finding an attorney who has dealt with the specific federal statute under which you have been charged is not as important as finding an attorney with experience successfully navigating their way around the federal court process with considerable experience representing defendants in federal drug cases.

Your criminal defense attorneys will be your most trusted resources. You and your attorney should have a good relationship and communicate well. Your attorney will be representing you through a challenging period in your life. You need to be able to trust your attorney to keep your best interest in mind. Ensure the attorney you hire has a policy of responding to clients and answering their concerns quickly and effectively. Ask whether your case will be handed off mainly to a paralegal or whether the attorney will be effectively handling your case.

You may be tempted to hire an attorney who guarantees you in no uncertain terms that your case will be successful. However, that attorney only tells you what you want to hear to get hired. When choosing the attorney who will stand between you and a potential prison sentence, integrity and honesty are far more valuable than bravado, arrogance, and empty promises. After conducting a thorough evaluation of your case, an effective attorney will give you a straightforward assessment of how the prosecution will proceed. An attorney should not make you any promises that they cannot deliver on.

Ultimately, after you have done the research and scheduled an initial consultation, your decision will depend on whether you feel comfortable with a particular attorney. You will need to have confidence in their experience and initial analysis of your criminal case. You may need to consult several lawyers to decide which suits your needs best.

Generally speaking, the cost of hiring a criminal defense attorney, along with other factors, depends on how complex your case is. Some attorneys charge a flat fee for criminal representation. Others charge a client by the hour. Still, others charge fees for specific parts of criminal case representation. You will want to ensure you have a clear picture of your attorney's fee structure before you decide on hiring an attorney. Ask about the attorney’s hourly rate and the paralegal rate to better understand how much you will be paying.

Many attorneys, including Arnold & Smith, PLLC offer a free initial consultation. Scheduling a face-to-face consultation with a potential attorney can help determine whether you feel comfortable working with a particular attorney. You will be able to ask questions about all of the essential aspects of your case. By scheduling a free consultation with Arnold & Smith, PLLC, you can have a skilled federal criminal defense attorney review your case with no obligation to hire our law firm to represent you. Don’t hesitate to contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC to schedule a complimentary case evaluation with a skilled Charlotte attorney.