Hiring an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney for Criminal Charges in Arizona?
How to Choose a Criminal Lawyer in Arizona

Nearly a quarter of a million criminal defense attorneys are currently employed in the United States, with many practicing right here in Arizona. A quick Google search yields an endless list of lawyers, some of whom have an abundance of accolades, good reviews, and gleaming websites. But how do you pick the best lawyer for your criminal case when there are so many to choose?

You are not alone. Hiring a criminal defense attorney is not something most people have extensive experience in. The following information will help answer that question and put you on a path to finding the best representation possible for your case.

Where Do I Start?

Although the task may seem daunting initially, you should begin by making a list of all prospective defense attorneys. The lawyer you know probably knows at least one or two criminal defense lawyers to whom they frequently refer cases, even if they don’t handle criminal cases themselves. They may be familiar with these defense lawyers from law school or a professional organization and might be able to vouch for their legal expertise. If you've ever had a lawyer before (that you've been happy with), reaching out to them to ask for suggestions is a great place to start.

If you're like most people, you probably know someone who has had a friend, or family member arrested for driving under the influence or something similar. Someone who has dealt with an issue you are going through can often give excellent recommendations and advice. To be sure, nobody is better qualified to describe the experience of hiring a particular lawyer than the lawyer's previous clients.

Of course, perusing the internet is also a viable way to find a defense attorney. Very few lawyers still place ads in the yellow pages, but many online legal directories contain lists of lawyers that can be searched by practice area. Many of these databases also allow past clients to comment on the lawyers listed there. These comments and reviews can be an excellent resource for harvesting the information you need to make a confident decision.

There are also reviews of lawyers on Yelp, Facebook, and other legal directories. Reviews can be helpful, but you should also consider them with a grain of salt because some platforms that offer reviews don't do anything to ensure that the reviews are authentic. Even if the reviewer was never even a client of the attorney, almost anyone could publish a review online, whether positive or negative.

Keep in mind that lawyers who appear first in these listings might have paid the website for the opportunity to advertise. There is nothing wrong with that; attorney advertising is standard practice in a cutthroat legal market like Arizona. Just bear in mind when browsing these reviews that a prominent listing may signify an attorney has sound business judgment, but it does not always imply exceptional legal ability.

Verifying A Defense Attorney’s Credentials

Like in any industry, some will falsely advertise or exaggerate their experience and skills. For that reason, thoroughly investigating the backgrounds of the lawyers on your list is probably a good idea. Here are two questions you’ll want to keep in mind as you do.

Are They Licensed?

Confirm that the lawyer has a license and is in good standing with the Bar. On the Arizona State Bar website, you can find out if a lawyer is licensed and qualified to represent you in Arizona.

Has The Attorney Undergone Any Disciplinary Action?

The State Bar mandates that attorneys abide by specific ethical standards; even if they have a license, the State Bar may have disciplined them in the past. Lawyers who break the rules are regularly punished by a reprimand, a suspension, or even disbarment. In general, you should exercise caution when hiring any lawyer with a significant history of disciplinary action. On the Bar's website, you will find a lawyer's profile and see their disciplinary record.

Experience In Criminal Defense Cases

You should ensure that the criminal defense attorney you choose has a lot of expertise with criminal cases before employing them. How many criminal cases has the lawyer worked on? How often have they been to trial?

You might be surprised to learn that a lawyer with significant trial experience is actually relatively uncommon. Nearly 95 percent of criminal cases end in a plea agreement, and even some long-tenured attorneys have only handled a small number of trials. You may have an advantage in court if you hire a lawyer with trial experience who can win your case. Ideally, you won't need a trial, but if you do, your lawyer should be ready and able to manage it.

Education

Your attorney's education is an important consideration, even though it shouldn't be the decisive factor in choosing them. The admissions committee has already screened a lawyer who graduated from an elite legal school. The caliber of the law school teachers will also impact how the attorney approaches legal problems and finds solutions for a client.

Consult

Once you've narrowed your list of attorneys to the top two or three, you will want to meet with each for a consultation. Most criminal defense lawyers provide free consultations in Arizona to prospective clients. Use this chance to meet with them to get a sense of who they are as people. If you hire an attorney, they will give you legal advice at one of your life's most critical and vulnerable times. You need to make sure you trust your attorney, and the best way to do that is by meeting in person.

You want to feel at ease and feel like you can freely express yourself with your attorney. you will be telling them very personal information.

Also, your attorney’s primary job will be to communicate confidently. They must communicate with the court, the jury, the prosecutor, the investigator, and the witnesses. If they do not communicate with you clearly and make you feel like you understand the legal situation you are facing, that's a red flag that they might not be a good communicator in general.

In the end, your defense attorney will advise you on a range of issues involving your case, whether you should take your case to trial, accept a particular plea, or testify. When that trust exists, you will have complete confidence that they are acting in your best interest.

Ask Who Will Handle Your Case

Often the attorney you will initially meet during a consultation will be the firm's owner, whose main job is to handle the law firm's business and bring clients in the door. Usually, they will not handle your case. They may have many competent attorneys, but you should know upfront if your case might be passed off to someone different. You should always ask if to meet with the attorney handling your matter.

Fees

Costs criminal get higher the more serious the matter, and these are just rough estimates. An Arizona criminal defense attorney typically costs between $4500 to $10,000 for a non-injury, non-property damage DUI. Representation for other misdemeanors typically begins at $2500, and representation for felonies starts around the $5000 mark.

Ask about the fee's inclusions. Some price schedules include counsel before a trial but charge more if a trial is necessary. This may be advantageous to you as most cases are settled without going to trial, saving you money on legal services you won't actually need. However, everything is based on the attorney's total fee schedule.

While talking about costs could sound awkward, it shouldn't be. Ask your inquiries and express your concerns about your finances honestly, and you can count on a reputable defense lawyer to do the same for you.

Summary

When you are facing criminal accusations, the first step to taking back control of your life is to choose a defense attorney who is competent, experienced, and with whom you feel comfortable. The key to success is to do your research before signing any agreements. A lot is on the line, and investing time and effort into finding the best attorney for your needs will be well worth the effort.