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Things to Consider when Hiring a Minneapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer

On Behalf of | Oct 2, 2013 | Firm News |

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If you’ve been arrested, you need the very best Minneapolis criminal defense lawyer you can find to represent you if you are to stand a chance of getting your life back on track. Not all criminal defense attorneys are the same, so here are a few steps you should take in order to find one that will give you the type of representation you need.

Viewing a Firm’s Website

The first thing you should do when choosing a lawyer is to visit his official website in order to find out more about the practice. In doing so, try to determine which areas of criminal law an attorney specializes in, and what some previous results have been in the past. Look for links to the firm’s social media pages, and check these out as well. In doing so, make sure the attorney presents a professional image. and does not appear to offer information that could be deemed confidential, as this is a violation of Minnesota Bar Association rules.

Associations

It’s important to know which associations an attorney belongs to if he is to represent you in court. Certain organizations such as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers provide continuing legal education for attorneys who practice criminal law. They also advocate for the rights of the accused by asking for new legislation to be enacted or by raising public awareness as to certain issues. Membership in these organizations shows a commitment to the rights of the accused along with a dedication to seeing justice preserved whenever possible.

Who will Represent You?

Just because you initially consult with one attorney does not mean that lawyer will handle your case from start to finish. If you have a very complicated case, having several different lawyers handle various phases of it may not be in your best interest. Know whether or not the attorney you speak with will handle your case exclusively, and be very cautious when dealing with firms that refuse to commit to not handing off the case to another before it goes to trial.

Discuss a Strategy

After giving your attorney the facts of your case, a basic trial strategy should come to mind rather quickly. Keep in mind that an exact strategy may take months to develop; however, an attorney should still be able to tell you how he will proceed with discovery or whether he anticipates that any expert witnesses might be needed. This plan is likely to change as the case progresses, and a skilled defense attorney will be able to adapt quickly to new development as soon as they occur.

Here at the Martin Law Offices, we know that an arrest requires a diligent effort if you are to choose the right defense lawyer. As such, we welcome you to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.