How to choose a criminal defense lawyer

Choosing a criminal defense lawyer is not a quick process.  A simple telephone may be sufficient for a minor misdemeanor charge.  However, if facing a serious felony or federal offense, you must meet with the attorney.  You need to feel comfortable.  You need to know you can be honest and that the lawyer is listening to you and your situation.  The criminal process is not quick and many aspects of it can cause serious worry.  Some tips to keep in mind when interviewing criminal lawyers include:

• Are they available anytime to talk?
• Do they provide a cell phone number you can call if you need them and their office is closed?
• Do they take your telephone calls - Did you talk to the lawyer or their staff when you first called them?
• Have they handled a case similar to your case in the past?
• Have they practiced in the jurisdiction where you are charged?
• Do they listen to your concerns?

While many of these questions seem simple, they will help you make the decision as to their ability to assist you.  You should also consider if you actually need a lawyer for your situation.

Do you need a criminal defense lawyer?

It depends.  Typically, if you are contacted by law enforcement in any manner, the Constitution guarantees you the right to have a lawyer present.  Often, you do not know why you are being contacted or you feel you can explain why you did nothing wrong.  However, the fact that they are contacting you should cause concern.  You do not know what information law enforcement already has about the issue.  A good lawyer will have the ability to talk to the police officer to learn what evidence exists on the case.  A good lawyer will be able to contact a prosecuting attorney to determine if there is an intent to charge someone with a crime.  We often find that we can get involved before charges are filed to protect our clients' rights.  In many cases, we are able to stop the process before our clients are ever charged.  If you are contacted by law enforcement, you should always have an attorney present with you.  We offer very competitive rates to help navigate the early stages of law enforcement contact.

​Helpful Links

Legalink.org - A helpful list of attorneys throughout the country.

Colorado-dui.com - Colorado Defense Lawyer Jim Forslund provides excellent advice and information.