5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Columbus Criminal Attorney

Honesty and experience are just the beginning of your lawyer search

Unless you have experience or schooling related to criminal defense, it’s not recommended that you represent yourself in court. On the contrary, you’re going to want to find an experienced Columbus criminal attorney..

There are a lot of attorneys out there that will vie for your business and attention, but how do you know which one you should pick? Start with these pointers:

1. Honesty

If you meet with a lawyer that guarantees he can win your case without hearing any of the details, move along. He’s over-promising and only telling you what you want to hear. Find a lawyer that asks you a lot of questions, listens intently to your answers, and takes a lot of notes.

2. Experience

Do some independent research on the attorneys you are considering. Check to see how many years they’ve been practicing, and how much experience they have handling your type of case. You can do background checks and read reviews on lawyers using public resources like lawyers.com and avvo.com.

3. Speciality

Depending on the crime you’re charged with, you may want to find a lawyer that focuses specifically on that area of the law. For instance, you wouldn’t want a divorce lawyer representing you if you’re being charged with a DUI. While an attorney can be a jack of all trades, it’s better to find someone who knows your type of charge intimately, like a criminal defense lawyer.

4. Price range

It’s okay to consider price when picking an attorney to represent you. After all, you don’t want to find out after the trial that there’s no way you can afford the fees you’ve been charged. Ask for an estimate, and if there will be any extra charges throughout the trial for anything unexpected.

5. Shop around

Don’t let the first attorney you talk to convince you that he’s the only game in town. Many law firms offer free or very affordable consultations, so take advantage of these when looking around for a lawyer to represent you. Take a lot of notes and weigh your options before making a final choice. Remember, picking the right attorney is a very important decision, so don’t be too hasty.

Schedule a consultation with a Columbus criminal attorney

If you’re looking for a lawyer to review your case, schedule a free consultation with one of the professional attorneys at Yavitch & Palmer. We specialize in drug crimes, traffic violations, sex crimes, child abuse allegations, cyber crimes, felonies, and juvenile crimes. We’ll listen to your side of the story and work honestly for your priorities.

Call Yavitch & Palmer today at 614-224-6142 or use our contact form to schedule an appointment our downtown Columbus office to discuss your case.

By Yavitch & Palmer Co., L.P.A | Posted on November 28, 2014

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FAQs

Q: What kinds of crimes go to trial?

Answer

Any case can go to trial. Although we often see the most serious matters in trial, that is not always the case. Sometimes the more serious offenses carry the risk of greater consequences. We commonly have trials on all matters, including OVI, traffic, and complex criminal cases.

Q: How likely is it my case will go to trial?

Answer

Trials are rare, with just 2.5% of Ohio criminal cases in common pleas court going to trial in 2012. Most cases resolve by plea negotiations. However, every case is unique and you need a lawyer to help you figure out all your available options.

Q: What’s the difference between a civil law and a criminal law?

Answer

Civil law deal with disputes between individuals, organizations or both. Yavitch & Palmer deals with criminal law— crimes and legal punishments of criminal offenses, like assault, robbery, drug trafficking and much more.