Navigating Your Defense: How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Atlanta

Being faced with criminal charges is daunting and can affect your life for years to come. 

Once the ball is in motion, it’s a lose-lose scenario. Aside from losing your freedom, criminal charges damage your reputation, are stressful to yourself and your loved ones, and the uncertainty of it can take a toll on your professional, personal, and family life. Even worse, these scenarios come about even if you get acquitted.

With the complexities of the criminal justice system in mind, the best thing you can do when facing a criminal charge is to hire a qualified criminal defense attorney to represent you.

When Might I Need A Criminal Defense Lawyer?

A crime can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony. A felony charge is among the more serious crimes a person can be charged with. Consequently, felonies attract longer jail terms and higher penalties than misdemeanors and infractions. Depending on the jurisdiction, the sentence can also include execution. 

On the other hand, misdemeanors are less serious than felonies and attract lower fines and shorter jail terms. Misdemeanors can also attract probation, rehabilitation, and community service.

We also have infractions, which are the least serious of crimes. These attract no jail time and are instead punished by imposing fines. 

There are also what can be termed as felony-misdemeanors. These are crimes that the government can prosecute as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances. The judge or the prosecutor holds this discretion. 

Examples of infractions are:

  • Simple motor vehicle offenses that lead to getting a ticket
  • Jaywalking

Examples of misdemeanors:

  • Prostitution
  • Petty theft
  • Simple assault
  • Public intoxication
  • Trespass
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Reckless driving
  • Vandalism
  • Possession of marijuana and first-time possession of certain drugs

Examples of felonies:

  • Rape
  • Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Various forms of fraud
  • Aggravated assault or battery
  • Arson
  • Treason
  • Robbery/ burglary
  • Possession of certain classes of illegal drugs
  • Intent to distribute certain types of drugs/qualities of illegal drugs
  • Grand larceny or grand theft

If you are charged with any of the above crimes or any other criminal activity, it’s best to consult a lawyer. You can handle an infraction by yourself, but felonies and misdemeanors are slightly more complex. 

Not just that, but what you assume is a misdemeanor can be classified as a felony misdemeanor, meaning the judge or prosecution can opt to try it as a felony. This, the complexities of the judicial system, and the expansiveness of criminal law make it essential to have a qualified attorney in your corner.

What Can a Criminal Lawyer Do For Me?

A common misconception about lawyers is that you only need one if you are guilty. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Innocent or guilty, representing yourself in court is no mean feat. 

Here are some things a qualified lawyer can do for you. 

They Negotiate a Plea Bargain 

Even when you are guilty of a crime, a lawyer can negotiate a deal or a plea bargain with the prosecutor.

This works in two ways. 

The first is that it can reduce your sentence, whether it’s a jail term, community service, or rehabilitation. The second is by having some of the charges against you stricken off. 

After reviewing your case, a criminal defense attorney will provide you with all viable options, including pleading guilty to get a plea bargain. 

Prove Your Innocence

You can be accused of a crime by simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time. While you might have a stellar argument for your defense, making your case effectively is a whole other ball game. 

Everything from legal jargon to speaking in court is challenging for a novice. By hiring a lawyer, you have someone that knows the ins and outs of the judicial system and the workings of the local court. Additionally, you have someone that can investigate, find loopholes in the prosecution’s case, and put up an airtight defense for your benefit. 

This expertise increases your chances of winning a case or, at least, getting a more favorable outcome. 

They Provide Counsel

If you have been charged with a crime, there is a good chance that you don’t have anyone else in your circles that has gone through the same. As such, you can find yourself isolated, lost, confused, and anxious. Not knowing what to do, what to expect, your options or the outcomes worsens the situation. 

While a criminal lawyer is not a therapist nor a friend, they can help deal with some of the emotional upheaval that results from criminal charges. Remember that you might be barred from discussing your case with third parties, which can be burdensome. However, you are allowed to discuss all aspects of your case with your attorney, and your discussions are protected by client-attorney privilege. 

Further, your advocate can help manage your anxiety by letting you know what to expect, discussing precedence, and holding your hand in what is understandably one of your life’s most trying moments. 

How to Choose a Criminal Defense Attorney

All attorneys are not created equal. Therefore, getting proper representation means identifying the right attorney to take on your case. 

What makes an excellent criminal defense lawyer? The following parameters should help you find the best attorney to represent you. 

1. Years of Experience

Being accused of criminal charges is bound to have serious long-term effects on your life. This leaves very little room for trial and error. As such, you want a well-qualified attorney with a thorough understanding of the law, courtroom confidence, and sound negotiation skills. These come with experience. 

Similarly, get an attorney with experience in all courts to cover all your bases. These include municipal, federal, superior, and state courts. Ensure to verify attorneys before proceeding with your case. 

2. Area of Specialization

Aside from the years a lawyer has been in practice, the best lawyer to defend your criminal charges is a criminal defense lawyer. 

The lawyer does not have to practice criminal law exclusively but must at least specialize and handle criminal cases. If you are looking at an attorney’s website and criminal law, and your specific charges are not mentioned, they might not be a good fit. 

While the laws remain the same, active involvement in criminal law means a lawyer is updated on criminal law, has made connections in criminal law circles, and is updated in criminal law nuances. Some of these cannot be taught in a classroom; they are learned on the job. It would help if you had this benefit. 

3. Track Record

While experience and specialization are essential, they mean little if an advocate loses more than he wins. Winning means clients being let off or getting good plea bargains and deals. 

When your freedom is on the line, you need an attorney with a good, verifiable success rate. This increases the probability of getting a good outcome yourself. This information can be found on their website. If it’s not, feel free to ask them to provide you with some client reviews.

4. Your Rapport and Gut Feeling

An in-person meeting is crucial once you have a couple of possible advocates. During the meeting, you want to discuss your legal matter, fees, and so on. As you do this, please pay attention to your gut feeling, their empathy, enthusiasm, and your comfort level around them. 

Criminal charges are emotionally, physically, and financially draining, and as such, you need a lawyer you are comfortable calling with your questions and concerns. This takes a good rapport. As you take these meetings, feel the advocates out, and engage your intuition to help you pick the best one. 

5. Accessibility, Availability, and Communication

You want an attorney you can call when necessary or one that can give you an appointment in good time upon request. This is one reason why you should avoid public defenders. The nature of their work means they are often overloaded with cases, making it impossible to accord you adequate time and attention. 

Similarly, go for an advocate that communicates well, breaks down complex information, and is open to answering your questions.

What to Bring on an Initial Consultation

You want to make the most out of your initial meeting with a defense lawyer. Ideally, you should go over the case and come from there with some direction on how to go about your matter. 

In this regard, it’s important to bring a few items. These include:

  • Charging documents: criminal information, complaint, indictment
  • Affidavits
  • Bail paperwork
  • Any police and court records
  • Any information and records regarding your past criminal history or other litigation
  • Any other documents relating to your case. For example, financial records if you have been charged with tax fraud
  • A list of witnesses to support your case, as well as a list of witnesses you think might testify for the prosecution. 
  • A list of questions you want to ask about the attorney’s area of practice, expertise, billing structure, and best and worst-case scenarios regarding your matter. 

Don’t Gamble With Your Freedom

Because of the short and long-term effects a criminal charge can have on your life, finding the right lawyer cannot be overstated. We understand this all too well at Cumberland Law Group. 

At our firm, we treat each case as unique and throw our expertise and dedication behind each client. We pair our legal acumen with empathy and transparency to ensure you get through the process with as much support as possible. 

You do not need a lawyer merely doing their job; you need someone who passionately fights for your interest, and that’s who we are. Don’t gamble with your freedom; if you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Atlanta, call us for a free consultation immediately.

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