If you or a loved one have been arrested or charged with a crime, you are probably wondering, how do I even go about hiring an attorney for this? This is particularly true if this is your first time in the criminal justice system. Thankfully, the process is not as hard as it seems! Here, we have a step-by-step process to simplify it for you.
Step 1: Start Reaching Out to Attorneys
The first thing you want to do is start reaching out to attorneys. It is never too early to start looking for an attorney. You can start by simply looking up “Indiana criminal defense attorneys” online. Some firms, like ours, have a chat feature where you can start communicating with the firm directly online. If this happens, one of our attorneys will call you immediately. Likewise, you can also just call the phone number you see online.
Step 2: Set up a Consultation
Once you have made the initial communication, you will want to have a consultation with an attorney to discuss the representation. Thankfully at our law firm, we have attorneys available every hour, every day. We can do this consultation immediately when you call. Things you will want to consider in the consultation are if it is a free consultation, the experience the attorney has, the comfortability you have with the attorney, the ability to communicate with your attorney, and of course the cost. Some firms, like ours, will have payment plans to allow you some financial flexibility.
Step 3: Compare with Other Attorneys
You may want to talk with multiple attorneys to compare their services. This is normal. After speaking with a few attorneys, you may have a tough time differentiating between who will you hire. Things that can help you make that decision are of course cost, but also accessibility, communication, experience, size of the firm, and whether or not the attorney has been a prosecutor before to understand the other side of the criminal justice system. Another great resource are online reviews. Here you can see what others have felt about the attorneys and the law firm to help you in determining who you want to represent you.
I should note that this is an optional step. If you feel great about this first attorney you talk with, there is no harm in just initiating the hiring process right then and there!
Step 4: Hire the Attorney
You have come to the point where it is time to make your decision. Now you will want to make the initial payment with the attorney and then sign the agreement to initiate the representation. Many attorneys, like us, can take payment online or over the phone to save you a trip. We will send you the agreement to sign after receiving the initial payment. Once payment has been received and the agreement has been signed, we begin fighting the case for you!
If after speaking with multiple attorneys you do not think you will be able to hire an attorney, bring this up to the Judge at your initial hearing. The Judge may then appoint a public defender to help you through the case.
Red Flags to Look Out For
There are a few things to look out for when deciding which attorney to hire. Be cautioned if the attorney makes you a guarantee. We know guarantees sound great, but in the criminal justice system, every case is different, and we cannot control what Judges or Prosecutors do. While there may some likelihood as to what will happen in your case, no criminal defense attorney can ever make a 100% certain guarantee.
Keep an eye out for bad reviews. Maybe the attorney does not have the requisite experience for the case. Maybe the attorney never talks with their clients. Maybe the attorney has failed to appear for court hearings. These are all topics that reviews from other people may clear up.
Also be sure to ask the attorney if he or she is the actual attorney that will be representing you. Sometimes attorneys will do the consultation with you and then have an agreement in place with attorneys at other firms and ship you off to them. While it is normal for attorneys within the same firm to cover each-other’s hearings, you want to make sure that the attorney you talk with is the one handling the bulk of your case.
What if I cannot afford an attorney?
If after speaking with multiple attorneys you do not think you will be able to hire an attorney, bring this up to the Judge at your initial hearing. The Judge may then appoint a public defender to help you through the case.
