Charges of criminal offence can easily destabilize lives on a personal, professional and social level. So, when choosing a lawyer to legally represent the accused in court, it is critical that the person for the job is not just good but is the best available and affordable lawyer. Furthermore, its helps if the lawyer is experienced with both sides of the system. Hence, it can be quite a wise decision to hire a former prosecutor for the job.
Benefits of Hiring an ex-Prosecutor
A prosecutor does not only file criminal charges; he or she communicates and outlines the case with the jurors or presiding judge. Furthermore, the prosecutor interviews and interrogates the witnesses, the accused and attempts to persuade the court that the defendant is guilty. So, a former prosecutor hired to defend the accused will have intimate knowledge of the criminal process on both sides of the case. Additionally, the lawyer will have the experience to form effective, comprehensive and well planned tactics that will potentially increase the chance of a favorable outcome for the accused as well as offer invaluable insight into the case.
How to Hire an ex-Prosecutor
It is tempting to dial the 1-800 numbers and hire the lawyer advertised in the yellow pages. That mistake, however, can prove to be costly as not all lawyers are specialized in criminal defense. Rather, it is better to hire a Former District Attorney who holds a good track record of cases where he has successfully defended the accused. Instead of immediately coming into the office, a potential client can conduct a telephone conversation with the lawyer to check whether he would be willing to represent the client in court. If not, the client can ask the lawyer for referrals to someone with the expertise required to handle the case. Once such a lawyer has been contacted, it is well worth checking if he is in good standing with the Bar; other information such as his educational background and so on can also be helpful. Additionally, it is not ok for the lawyer to be disrespectful towards his potential client. So, if a potential client finds himself uncomfortable in the presence of the lawyer, perhaps it is a better idea to look around a bit more. This is especially important as the client and lawyer must establish a comfortable and an open network of communication in order to handle the case well.
Paying for the Services
It is best to understand the fees before hiring a former district attorney to represent a case. The services may be charged on an hourly basis or for a flat fee. In either case, it is important to ask detailed questions regarding the charges so that the potential client has an accurate estimate of the cost of services to be hired.
Former Prosecutor, Former District Attorney