Many attorneys will work on a contingency basis. This means the lawyer will not make money unless the lawsuit does.

Hiring a Criminal Lawyer

There are a number of situations in life when you have to decide whether to hire a lawyer. For instance, if you're purchasing a house or having trouble paying your bills, hiring a lawyer may not be a necessity, but it's a good idea nonetheless. However, if you've been charged with driving under the influence, assault, or some other crime, hiring a criminal lawyer is mandatory. You'll want to make sure that your legal rights are protected throughout the entire judicial process.

But where do you begin, when you're hoping to hire a qualified criminal lawyer? One of the best ways to find an effective attorney is to consult with your family and friends. There is nothing better than a personal recommendation, especially one that comes from someone who is close to you. However, there are times when it might be difficult to obtain a personal referral. In those situations, you might consider consulting the local bar association or an Internet site such as lawyers.com. The Internet, in fact, can provide a wealth of information about individual lawyers. For instance, you can find out about a lawyer's level of expertise in criminal law, biographical information, whether the lawyer is in good standing with the bar, and other pertinent facts. In addition, online archives of your local newspaper might include articles about cases that a particular lawyer has tried. You'll want to hire a lawyer with plenty of experience in the area of criminal law involved in your case, whether it be traffic offenses, drug crimes, or white collar crimes.

The next step is contacting the lawyer's office. If an attorney cannot meet with you on short notice, don't count the lawyer out. Effective lawyers are quite busy, so, if a lawyer is short on time, that may actually be a positive sign. Pay close attention to how your call is handled by the lawyer's staff. The staff should be courteous and be willing to answer all of your questions.

You should be aware of the fact that criminal defense lawyers tend to charge by the hour. As an alternative, they may charge a flat fee up front. Generally speaking, rules of professional conduct bar a lawyer from charging a contingency fee for a criminal case. Since legal fees can vary, you might want to engage in some comparison shopping. However, be advised that the better lawyers tend to charge more for their services. Since your freedom and reputation are at stake, you should invest in the best lawyer you can afford.

Given the fact that criminal cases are often settled through plea agreements with a district attorney's office, it can be important for a criminal lawyer to be on good terms with the D.A. Certainly, good relations between the two can only enhance your case. Therefore, you'll want a lawyer who has fairly regular contact with the prosecuting attorney in the county in which your case resides. Also, it's a good idea if you hire a lawyer who is affiliated with a group such as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Such an association shows that your lawyer wants to keep abreast of new developments in the area of criminal law.

Prior to hiring a criminal lawyer, be sure to ask for references. You'll want to know how clients view the attorney's expertise. You should also obtain a copy of the law firm's brochure, so you have a clear understanding of the outfit you're dealing with. It is also vitally important that you obtain a copy of the lawyer's retainer agreement so that you're aware of any up-front costs involved in obtaining legal representation.

In the end, you'll want to select a lawyer that you're comfortable with, one that truly understands your case and can work well on your behalf. You'll find that an effective criminal attorney is well worth his or her fee.

Criminal-Lawyer-Central.com is a directory of criminal lawyers across the United States. www.criminal-lawyer-central.com

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Law and Attorney Books:

A Lawyer's Life - As Cochran freely concedes, his representation of O.J. Simpson transformed him from a lawyer into a celebrity. In this memoir of his professional life, he tries to put that case in perspective. Although a fierce critic of the racism he sees in the legal system and among the L.A. police, Cochran says the common perception that he is anti-law enforcement is wrong; he began his career as a prosecutor, but he is on a mission to eradicate racism wherever he finds it. Long before the Simpson case, he made a name for himself (and a small fortune) by successfully bringing police brutality cases on behalf of African-Americans like Barbara Deadwyler, whose husband was shot dead for no apparent reason while rushing his pregnant wife to the hospital.

Plain English for Lawyers - Plain English for Lawyers has proven itself to be one of the most essential tools for law students and practicing lawyers alike, and Wydick's humorous demonstrations of legalese endear this book to both students and faculty.

Should You Really Be A Lawyer?: The Guide To Smart Career Choices Before, During & After Law School - Are you making the right decision to get into--or remain--in law? Whether you're a prospective law student, a current law student, or even a practicing lawyer, the decision to enter--or remain--in law ranks among the biggest career decisions you'll ever make. From the latest research on decision-making, authors Deborah Schneider and Gary Belsky have written a unique career-building guide that will help you evaluate and answer the most basic question facing you now: Should you really be a lawyer?

Reading Like A Lawyer: Time-Saving Strategies For Reading Law Like An Expert - Using seven specific reading strategies reinforced with hands-on exercises at the end of each chapter, this book shows how you can read law like expert law students and expert lawyers do —efficiently, effectively, powerfully, and confidently. Law students, pre-law students, and any professional whose work touches on law will all find Reading Like a Lawyer to be an engaging, easy-to-read guide to the complex and powerful world of law-based reading. A teacher’s manual is available.

Inside the Criminal Mind - To embark on a truly corrective program, we must begin with the clear understanding that the criminal chooses crime; he chooses to reject society long before society rejects him. The criminal values people only to the extent that he can use them for his own self-serving ends; he does not justify his actions to himself. Only by "habilitating" the criminal, so that he sees himself realistically and develops responsible patterns of thought, can we change his behavior. It is vital that we know who the criminal is and how and why he acts differently from responsible citizens. From that understanding can come reasonable, compassionate, and effective solutions.

Criminal Law: Examples and Explanations

The Best Defense - The author presents his most famous, and infamous, cases and clients, and in the process, takes a critical, informed look at a legal system that he regards as deeply corrupt.