What to Do Before Reaching Out to a Criminal Lawyer

When you find yourself accused of a serious crime, it’s time to reach out to a lawyer in your area. Before you do that, however, you have to deal with a potential arrest and the immediate aftermath of the accusation. The steps outlined her can help save the day when you find yourself in a tight legal spot. Whether you need a Kitchener impaired driving lawyer or somebody who can help defend you after a domestic assault accusation, the tips here can help your lawyer defend you as completely as possible.

Know the Accusation

The legal system is a vast and complex thing, and even the most skilled lawyers in the world can’t know every law and loophole. It’s best to find a lawyer who has tried cases in your area and relevant to the crime for which you stand accused. For example, you should seek out domestic assault lawyers if you are charged with domestic assault or a similar domestic crime such as sexual abuse. A lawyer who has successfully defended individuals who face similar charges can draw upon their knowledge and experience to help guide you through the legal process. If you aren’t sure whether a lawyer’s experience overlaps with your alleged crime, ask for a consultation. Normally, a lawyer can advise you upon the next best course of action based on this consultation.

Create a Written Account

When a matter goes to court, consistency and accuracy in a defender’s account often makes the difference between an acquittal and a conviction. As soon as possible, you should make sure to write down your account of the circumstances surrounding your arrest. If you have times, dates, and names of people that can corroborate your account, that is even better. The goal of getting your story into writing serves two major purposes. First of all, it allows your lawyer to compare your version of events with the accuser’s and any police reports that might be relevant to the case. Secondly, it provides something that you can refer back to as a refresher, helping you to limit the risk of forgetting something important.

Research Your Options

Finding the right lawyer for your case seems easy, as a simple search of lawyers in your area can pull up many results. However, you need to make sure that you do your research and pick out the best lawyer for your needs. This usually involves discounting those from far outside your region, as they probably don’t have strong familiarity with the preferences of judges and the tendencies of prosecutors in your area. You might also want to avoid lawyers who don’t have a lot of experience. When you have a short list, you should arrange consultations with those lawyers who offer them for free. This allows you to speak one on one with your potential lawyer before making a decision.

Failing to get the right lawyer to protect you probably means facing the most severe punishment available for your crime. If you follow the guidelines above, you have a better chance of finding the right lawyer for you.