California Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
Being arrested and facing criminal charges is a traumatic experience but choosing the right lawyer can minimize the stress and anxiety one suffers while moving through the process toward a resolution. When trying to decide which lawyer is right for you, there are a few things to consider when making a decision.
1. Choose an attorney who is familiar with the local courts. Every courthouse in every county has it’s own procedures. I have been working out of the same courthouses for more than 20 years and have developed professional and trusting relationships with court staff, which is very valuable for an attorney when it comes to strategy. My more than 20 years of criminal law defense work in Orange County, has allowed me to create relationships with judges, district attorneys and court staff, as well as the knowledge of how each particular courtroom works. Knowing who to talk to has afforded me opportunities to get the most positive outcome for my clients.
2. Choose an attorney who will maintain close personal contact with you. Facing criminal charges can throw most peoples lives into a spin and the anxiety can be at times overwhelming. Being able to talk to your attorney when you are feeling most vulnerable is invaluable and can make the whole process a little less stressful.
3. Choose an attorney who will get involved before charges are filed. There are situations where an attorney’s early intervention may prevent charges from being filed. Hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney, who is willing to try to pursue an arresting agency and/or the district attorney from filing charges, can make a huge difference in a person’s life. Convincing the reviewing district attorney to listen to your side of the story or giving them information they may not know, may result in the prosecution rejecting the case. The same goes for the police officer or detective trying to decide whether or not to submit the case for prosecution, Maybe there is information they don’t have but would alter their decision regarding whether or not to submit the case. Although, more often than not charges do end up getting filed, early intervention may produce information that was not previously known and can give an attorney a “head start” on investigation.
I will evaluate your case with as much information as I am provided, and give my opinion and/or advise regarding your options and what to expect throughout the process. An open dialogue helps me with the defense of your case as well as provides you with access to me whenever questions come up.