While some disputes in our lives can be resolved with a constructive conversation or a handshake, there are other issues where we need a lawyer to represent our interests in both civil and criminal matters. There are several things to consider when you are looking for a lawyer to represent you. But where do you start? How do you choose?
It begins with determining what kind of lawyer that you need first.
Generally speaking, if you are charged with a criminal offence or have a legal issue that relates to criminal law, then you should look for a lawyer who practices exclusively criminal law.
A general practitioner- a lawyer who handles any time of legal matter- will not likely be as well versed in legislation as it relates to criminal law, and is less likely to be adept at navigating your legal matter through the criminal courts. A criminal law practitioner will be more aware of the alternatives available to a person who faces a criminal accusation. An experienced criminal lawyer knows the justice system from entry level (bail) to trial, and has developed the skill set necessary to achieve the best result at every stage in the criminal process.
Once you figure out the kind of lawyer you need, it is often best to get personal referrals. Simply ask friends and acquaintances who have had recent, first-hand experience with lawyers. Do you have friends with lawyers that they can recommend? Do those lawyers have good reputation? Which lawyer is right for you and your particular case? Word of mouth does go a long way. You may also have coworkers and colleagues whom you trust. They may have recommendations for a criminal lawyer who a friend or relative has used in the past. They may be able to tell you exactly how the lawyer performed, under what circumstances, and in relation to specific criminal offences. They may be able to tell you if the lawyer was reasonably priced, and whether that lawyer advocated on their behalf in an aggressive manner. They also may be able to tell you if the lawyer was accessible by telephone or email if they had questions or concerns, and they may be able to comment on the lawyer's professionalism. Take all of these recommendations and put together a short list of your favorites.
Once you have made this list, it is important to meet these lawyers personally. Nothing takes the place of a real, candid, face-to-face meeting with someone who may be defending you or a family member. Pay attention to what you discover in your meeting. When you enter the lawyer's office, what does it look like? Is it a new building or is it an older building in disrepair? Does it look like the law firm does enough business in their purported specialty to defend you? How does the receptionist greet you? Is she too busy to acknowledge you or does she take time out to greet you and let the lawyer know you are there? Gauging the level of attention you receive will be a clue to the overall attention that you get from the lawyer and their legal team through the duration of your case.
When you get into a private office or conference room with the attorney and discuss the case, how does the attorney speak to you? Does she explain very clearly, in lay terms, all the particulars of the case or does she mention Latin legal terms that you may not understand? Does the attorney have your best interests at heart or does she simply want to settle the case to clear it from her calendar? Do you feel at ease with this person and do you believe that others who have to deal with this person - prosecutors, other attorneys, judges and police officers - will feel the same way that you do? Is the attorney respectful and respectful of those around her? You may also want to think about the lawyer's overall style and level of communication. Does the attorney perform in a low-key manner, presenting just the facts, or does the attorney act bombastically and create excessive and dramatic flourishes that may damage your credibility? If you know that your case is complex and has many facets that will involve legal argument on various issues, you will want a lawyer who has confidence making legal arguments, and the ability to articulate the these arguments. It all depends on you and the nature of the case.
When you speak to an attorney about your case, be sure to ask as many pertinent questions as possible. You first have to ask what type of experience and support your potential attorney has in the field of law that applies to your case. In the last year or so, how many cases like yours has this attorney dealt with, tried and/or settled? How about in their entire career? Or in the career of the entire law firm? It is important to ask how many and what kind of people will be working with your potential attorney, such as paralegals, other attorneys, private investigators, etc. How does the lawyer feel about challenging the police? If, for instance, the trial is going to involve a credibility contest between you and the police, is the criminal lawyer someone who is always looking for the best deal for the client, pleading everybody guilty to one criminal offence or another? This is the kind of criminal lawyer to be avoided since their orientation is always to make a deal instead of a thoughtful consideration of the evidence. In addition, you have to ask how frequently and what type of communication the attorney will provide throughout the length of your representation, both in and out of court.
Obviously, one of the most important questions you will ask is how much the representation will cost. Depending on how substantial the case is, a criminal lawyer may offer their client a block fee which includes one day of trial, or they may charge their client by the hour. Other cases require a substantial retainer up front. When enough of these questions have been answered adequately, then you may have what you need to make a sound decision about your legal representation. Make the right choice! Once you do, your confidence in the lawyer that you've chosen will make a very difficult process much easier.Kostman Pyzer is a criminal defence law firm serving clients in the Greater Toronto area and elsewhere in the province of Ontario since 1983. Not every
toronto lawyer is created equal. We are creative, experienced and hardworking. We pride ourselves on our aggressive representation of clients and our relentless commitment to success. Visit online today.
