How to Find a Criminal Lawyer
The Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution guarantee criminal defendants the right to counsel. The court appoints an attorney, such as a public defender or a private attorney, to assist indigent defendants with their representation if they cannot afford it on their own. If, however, your income level exceeds the maximum to have a court-appointed lawyer, then you must hire your own private attorney. There are multiple resources you can use to find a criminal lawyer.
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Instructions
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Contact friends or family members who have used the services of a criminal lawyer and request his contact information. Obtaining an attorney through a referral from a trusted friend is an option for finding an attorney with whom you will be compatible. Ask your friend whether he was satisfied with the representation provided by the attorney, about his fee structure and whether he thinks the attorney will be compatible with you. The attorney-client relationship is very important, particularly in a criminal case, and using a lawyer that is recommended by a friend or family member increases your chance of establishing a good rapport.
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Call the local bar association and ask for a referral. Many bar associations, such as the American Bar Association, state bar associations and local bar associations provide the names and contact information of attorneys who request to join a referral program for members of the public who are having a difficult time finding an attorney. Call the bar association for the jurisdiction in which you are being prosecuted and request the contact information of a criminal lawyer.
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Search for criminal attorneys using an online attorney contact information database. Martindale-Hubbell, FindLaw and Avvo provide services where you can search for a criminal attorney based on your geographic location. You can even filter your search by practice specialities.
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Call the public defender's service and ask for a referral. Even though the public defender's service will not represent you, they will know other attorneys who practice criminal law.
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Observe court and ask an attorney for her card. Criminal proceedings are open to the public, and going to court will allow you to observe how your trial or hearing will proceed and how different attorneys perform in court. If you see an attorney who has the litigation style in which you are interested, ask her for her business card or contact information outside of the court room.
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