If you’ve been accused of committing a crime, whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony, your top priority is to prepare for your next scheduled court date. The best way to do this is by immediately seeking the help of a qualified lawyer with extensive experience in the field of criminal defense law. One of the most important criteria when selecting an attorney for your case is “trust.” But how do you know who to trust?

Follow these legal tips to ensure you choose a good criminal defense lawyer who can aggressively defend your legal rights, negotiate with prosecutors to reduce your charges or minimize your penalties, and ensure your interests are fully protected:

DO pick an attorney that practices criminal law

Whether or not your particular case will be settled through a plea bargain or headed for trial, it is vital to choose an attorney who is knowledgeable in criminal law and is able to try your case in front of a jury. Lawyers who have no experience defending criminal cases won’t have a comprehensive understanding of the rules of evidence, will have difficulty identifying the weaknesses and strengths of your case, and will have little credibility to negotiate a good deal for you.

DO steer clear of lawyers that guarantee a result

If you consult with a lawyer who promises you certain results—particularly before he’s even evaluated your case—immediately cross him/her off your list. Criminal law is complicated and every case is unique. There are no guarantees or simple answers. Any attorney who makes promises to obtain certain results in a criminal law case is not worth your trust.

DO choose a lawyer that can clearly explain your situation and your legal rights

Your lawyer should be able to simply and clearly explain the criminal charges against you, what they entail, your legal rights, what prosecution has to prove, and how evidence can be used against you in court. Your criminal law lawyer should also explain the possible consequences you may face for your charges. And remember, a lawyer should always be direct, honest, and to the point, rather than promising that you will “win your case.”

DON’T bargain shop for a criminal lawyer

While an affordable attorney is a legitimate concern, it should never be the main priority. There are too many things at stake and you need the best attorney who can ensure your rights and interests are fully protected every step of the way. Attitude, compassion, and experience are very important when it comes to choosing a criminal law lawyer.

Many lawyers will quote a flat fee, but this fee is not just for the hours they may work on your case. You are also paying for their skills, experience, and qualifications. Fees are often based on the difficulty of the case and the amount of time the lawyer and staff spend researching and preparing. Expect a larger fee if your case is expected to go to trial.

DON’T be scared to discuss lawyer fees
You have a right to know how much a criminal law lawyer will charge you before deciding to hire him or her. The lawyer should be able to tell you during the initial consultation how much the services will cost you.

Baton Rouge criminal defense lawyers of The Spano Law Firm focus provides exceptional legal representation to clients throughout the Baton Rouge, Louisiana metropolitan area in criminal defense, including DUIs and DWIs, and personal injury matters. Firm principal Rhett P. Spano possesses more than ten years of experience as a trial attorney. Prior to dedicating his career to criminal defense, Mr. Spano spent three years as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in New Orleans. In this capacity, Mr. Spano tried more than 50 jury trials involving a wide range of crimes. This experience gives him a unique insight into how prosecutors secure convictions- information he now uses to his clients’ advantage.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime or needs assistance with a personal injury or appeals matter, they can help. For their clients’ convenience, they maintain a flexible schedule and have a 24-hour hotline available. To schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case with them, contact The Spano Law Firm today or use their online contact form.

If you or someone in your family has encountered an injury to the newborn because of the negligence of a healthcare provider is under the category of medical malpractice, it is necessary to know the right approach. And who can be a better guide than a skilled birth injury lawyer. Your lawyer is capable of handling the issue in the right manner. However, it is always of help if you have a clear idea about the steps involved in the legal procedure. Here is a comprehensive, concise guide to what happens if you choose to file a lawsuit against the one responsible for the injury.

Notification: You may file a lawsuit or notify the individual(s) responsible about your intention. This must be done with the help of a lawyer. The accused informs their medical malpractice insurer about the lawsuit and appoints a defense attorney to work on his/her behalf. After this, the legal professionals representing the accuser and the accused handle the matter.

Discovery: This is the phase of collection of evidence. Usually, the investigative teams working for the lawyers undertake this task. The victim’s side needs to provide all medical and financial records as well as personal information to the other. An Independent Medical Examination, and in some cases an MRI, are done on the child. This is to support your claims of the damage done to the child at the time of birth.

Deposition: Examination of the circumstantial evidence is not the whole. Examination and cross-examination of individuals associated with the case is also part of the process. These include doctors, nurses, chemists, technicians, and all others who were involved in the delivery of the baby.

Negotiation: In most cases, your birth injury lawyer is capable of reaching a settlement after the collection of the evidence. His/her job involves evaluating the worth of the injury (taking into account the economic and non-economic losses), and discussing the matter with the insurance adjuster. If this discussion reaches a suitable agreement, there is no need to approach the court for a trial.

Trial: If you are unable to get a fair and adequate settlement via negotiation, you need to opt for trial. At this stage, the lawyer accumulates the evidence and presents your side of the story at the court of law. He/she presents witnesses that support the claim. Then the defense gets the opportunity to present their side. The jury reaches a verdict after the completion of the argument.

The Washington DC birth injury lawyers of Nash & Associates focus on birth injuries such as cerebral palsy and Erbs Palsy due to medical malpractice or negligence throughout the Washington DC area. They are a boutique law firm that specializes in medical malpractice and catastrophic injury. Nash & Associates is recognized by the courts, fellow lawyers, experts, and professional associations as leaders in the field of medical malpractice. The founder of the firm, attorney Brian Nash, has 35 years of legal experience, 27 of which have focused on medical malpractice cases.

Strength in experience, legal ability, and attention to detail translates to a strong birth injury lawsuit. Nash & Associates represents parents in bringing negligent and reckless health care workers to justice for their actions. Call the firm to toll-free or contact them online to schedule your initial consultation.