As a city in Pennsylvania, Harrisburg is bound by its laws and criminal code. It is the capital city of the state and the seat of Dauphin County with a population of about 50,000. Its other surrounding counties include York, Franklin, Perry, Cumberland, and Lebanon. You can learn about various aspects of the city here.
Most people do not worry about getting arrested how much more getting charged with a crime and needing an attorney. If however it so happens that you or your loved ones; residents or visitors to Harrisburg get entangled in a criminal case, getting a criminal lawyer to help as soon as possible is essential.
A criminal lawyer is also known as a defense attorney and their job is to defend people and organizations that have been accused of committing crimes against the state. They can either be part of a private firm or they may be public defenders meaning that they are employed by the state or jurisdiction to represent people who cannot afford to pay an attorney.
Part of the job of a defense attorney is to conduct researches into a case. They analyze and review the evidence against the accused, and with this, find loopholes in the prosecution’s case. They defend their client during the trial, negotiate plea bargains, and ultimately secure freedom for their client or a reduced or lighter sentence depending on the unique peculiarities of the case.
Getting charged with a criminal offense by the state is a big issue and one that should not be taken lightly. This is the reason why you need to secure the services of a good attorney or law firm with experience and expertise to defend you. This could mean the difference between getting your freedom or getting jailed or worse still being sentenced to death. You can almost say that the defense team holds your fate in their hands. As an example,Cadwell criminal cases are only handled by attorneys with years of experience in both the legal system as a whole and the state’s unique systems particular.
Choosing an Attorney
Given how important it is to have the best representation, how do you go about choosing the right attorney to represent you?
Determine if You Need a Lawyer
Crimes are categorized into three different categories; felons, misdemeanors, and infractions. While felons constitute the most serious category of crime, infractions are less serious. It is always a good thing to seek legal help even when it is a minor offense as this consultation can help to understand what you are being charged with.
A person may decide not to hire a lawyer for an infraction but anyone charged with a felony or a misdemeanor need one. Your lawyer will help you understand the case and the options that are available to you.
Determine the Kind of Attorney You Need
Both state and federal laws exist. If you have broken a state law, then you need an attorney that specializes in the laws of Pennsylvania. If it is a federal law, then a lawyer with that experience will be better. To buttress this, federal cases seem more complex than those involving the state. This is not to say both sets of lawyers might not at least be knowledgeable in both kinds of laws but choosing one with the specific specialization and experience is best. You can get some advice on picking a good attorney here: https://abovethelaw.com/2019/01/how-to-pick-a-good-criminal-defense-attorney/?rf=1.
Testimonial and References
Getting charged with a crime is a big deal so choosing your defense lawyer should be too. This is why you need to find one or a firm with a good reputation for winning cases. You can ask for recommendations and references from friends, family, colleagues, and associates. Also, talking to previous clients might be helpful. You might as well ask other lawyers too. Since it is a community, they will likely know who to recommend. Another place to check is online reviews.
What is the Defense Team Like?
In preparing a case, you should understand that although you may have a single lawyer representing you, there is a team involved. No matter how good a defense attorney is, they need a team behind them and this is all for the best as two or more people working on a case is much better than one person. This can help to see things from different perspectives. Also, if your lawyer for any reason is indisposed to work, someone from the team can step up to continue the case.
Knowing and getting familiar with these team members is not a bad idea. You can request to meet with them. Do not forget, they hold the key to you winning the case. You want to be sure that they are up for it.
What to Ask Your Attorney
Though all criminal lawyers do the same thing as shown in this article, no two cases are the same. They all involve different parties, scenarios, evidence, witnesses, etc. As a result of this, there are some important questions you should ask an attorney you are considering. Here are a few:
- If they have dealt with similar cases and how many if yes
- How many years of experience do they have?
- What options are available for you?
- How long will the case be?
- In a case where the attorney is not hired, does the attorney-client privilege apply?
A sort of relationship is formed between the defendant and a lawyer when they are hired. This makes communication between them secret. This also usually applies to any discussions between the defendant and a potential lawyer.
- What is the mode of communication and how often?
- What is the price?
- Do they offer a free consultation?
Remember that getting a lawyer is not enough. Getting a good one is essential.
