So, you got into trouble and need a criminal defense attorney in Chattanooga.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is, your law trouble doesn’t have to be the end of the world.
But there are some important steps you need to take before heading to court.
First and foremost, if you’ve recently gotten into trouble with the law and had criminal charges filed against you, you need to act fast.
Waiting and being indecisive when it comes to choosing a criminal defense attorney will only act against you. The faster you move, the sooner your defense counsel can go to work on your case.
But that doesn’t mean you have to rush to judgement and choose the first law firm you find.
Make sure you’re getting a criminal defense attorney that can help. You need a lawyer that fits your needs, and maybe even one that specializes in cases like yours.
For instance, if you choose the law firm of Cavett, Abbott & Weiss, PLLC, you can get access to some of the top criminal defense attorneys with over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense for cases involving DUI, drugs, domestic assault, sexual offenses, theft, violent crimes and more.
Finding a lawyer who specializes in the complex state and federal legislation that embodies criminal law is important. Of course, each state sets its own laws, punishments, and definitions of crimes within their own borders.
These laws can be complicated and hard for the average, everyday person to understand. That’s why finding a criminal defense attorney is important, even though you ultimately have the right to represent yourself in the courtroom.
Criminal defense attorneys can help you navigate through the complex pre-trial proceedings, analyze your case’s strengths and weaknesses, determine a defense strategy, elaborate on the pros and cons of pleading guilty or non guilty, and even assist with the appeals process if the verdict doesn’t go your way.
Of course, defense attorneys can also assist with plea bargains and in some qualifying cases may attempt to convince the court to drop your charges based on insufficient evidence, improper procedure, or other factors.
All of these and more are reasons why you should take immediate action when it comes to hiring a criminal defense attorney, but narrowing down the selection process may not be as straightforward.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Following some of these simple tips can help you choose the right criminal defense attorney.
And remember, the defense lawyers at Cavett, Abbott & Weiss are based right here in Chattanooga with experienced, effective, efficient, and reliable counsel on their side.
Schedule your consultation today if you need a criminal defense lawyer. You can’t afford to go to court without us!®
BE PREPARED
Before meeting with a prospective criminal defense attorney, it’s important that you are prepared and knowledgeable about your situation.
You may need to set up an appointment (remember: good lawyers will be busy, so take the first chance you get), fill out a questionnaire, and bring documents such as bail papers, court dates, and the police report, if possible.
Having other information, like a list and contact information for witnesses, victims, or other parties, readily available will also help the defense counsel determine a course of action for you.
Of course, your prospective lawyer should also be prepared when meeting you for the first time. Be sure to have a list of questions – not only about your case, but about the lawyer themselves – to determine whether this particular law firm is right for you.
Ask what your options are, what the lawyer’s experience is with cases like yours, how long they have been practicing criminal defense, if they are familiar with the courthouse in which you will be appearing, and more.
BE THOROUGH
You may have met with a handful of potential lawyers, and perhaps you’ve narrowed it down to one or two that you feel comfortable with.
Take this opportunity to find out even more about your case and what this particular criminal defense attorney might be able to do for you.
Ask if they would recommend a guilty plea, a plea agreement, or a trial.
Find out if there are aspects that work in your favor, or what some problems with your case might be.
Ask them what you can expect from the proceedings, and if they would be available to represent you when you need them.
From there you can determine whether you’ll need to meet anyone else that might be associated with your case within that firm and what the best way to contact your defense attorney will be.
Of course, another important factor in choosing a criminal defense lawyer are the legal fees; Can you afford them? Are they hourly or is it a flat rate? What other expenses might you incur?
Finally, choose your lawyer based on their expertise in your particular area. There may be situations where you have to pay more legal fees, but it can be worth it to get the best criminal defense attorney for your specific case.
All told, navigating through the murky waters of criminal law can be strenuous and stressful. Finding the right criminal defense attorney can help minimize those headaches. Whether you’re facing criminal charges for a DUI, drug charges, domestic assault, sexual offense, theft, or violent crimes like murder, armed robbery, assault and battery, domestic violence or vehicular manslaughter, the Chattanooga law firm of Cavett, Abbott & Weiss may be able to help. Schedule your consultation today to find out how.