Criminal Attorney
Come to Think of it I Don't Want to Be a Criminal Attorney
By Adrianna Noton
I had grown up wanting to be a lawyer. When I entered law school my plan was to become a criminal attorney. That changed after my first DUI defense. I went to a small law school. It was accredited in that I was able to sit for the bar exam once I graduated. But it was not American Bar Association accredited. I went to a small law school not ABA accredited because for one reason my grades were not good enough to get into a larger more well known school. And I was already in my mid twenties and had a full time job so I needed a flexible class schedule.
One of the drawbacks to going to a small non accredited school was limited job opportunities once I was ready to look for a law job. No large corporate law firm came to our campus located in an office building recruiting for entry level associates. But that was all right with me, I simply wanted to be able to take the bar. I would worry about finding work later.
The best place, if not the only practical place to get experience as a criminal attorney is either with the district attorney's office or the office of the public defender. But again, government jobs were handed out to large ABA accredited law school graduates. I did have the opportunity to interview for one position with the public defenders office however. The state had lifted a hiring freeze. For the previous year the state was not even interviewing anyone for government legal jobs regardless of what school you were from. In interviewed and received an 88 out of a 100 on the interview. I knew this was not good enough to get the one and only job opening with all the competition out there.
A week later, I received a letter from the state saying that the hiring freeze was reinstated. They did not even fill the one position before putting the freeze back on. I decided to take a continuing legal education course on drunken driving defense. The course was a three day program and after the course I thought there was really nothing to it and it should be simple enough.
I ran a small ad in my local shopper after I finished the course. It cost me twenty five dollars a week. My phone started ringing off the hook. I never realized how many people get arrested for drunk driving. I went to court with my first client in the municipal court of the city I grew up in. Across the street was the college I graduated in. I had never been in their courtrooms.
This was my client's first offense so he was looking at any jail time. And his alcohol level at the time of his arrest was above the legal limit. There was nothing for me to contest. But I was there basically to hold his hand during the process. But I did want to go through the steps I learned in my class. I approached the deputy district attorney at the opposite side of the courtroom and waited patiently while she chatted with the courtroom bailiff.
Finally when they were done the female bailiff looked me up and down turned her nose up and walked off. I asked the female deputy district attorney to confirm the charges and asked what would be the sentence she would agree to. This is what I learned in my class. She organized her files on the desk and without looking at me said you can find that out from the judge when we get started.
I was treated very politely by the female judge however. I think she probably came up the ranks of the public defenders office. My client got the basic penalty he was due and although his license was suspended for one year, I was able to allowed to drive to and from work and while he was working since driving was part of his job. But I pulled the ad from the shopper. One DUI defense was enough. One criminal case was enough for me to change my mind about criminal law. At court I felt like I was the one who was on trial not my client. But the truth of the matter is, the criminal attorney is the agent of the accused and has to know that going into not only the courtroom but into law school.
May 7, 2011
1:39 pm
There’s a good guide here: http://www.vanwagnerwood.com/CM/Custom/HOW_TO_CHOOSE_A_GOOD_CRIMINAL_DEFENSE_LAWYER.asp
and another here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2057467_choose-criminal-defense-attorney.html
Also, ask around. Word of mouth is often a great way to find out who did a good job and who didn’t make an effort.
Good luck to you.
May 20, 2011
1:33 pm
What should I look for when trying to retain a criminal defense attorney?
I am looking for a lawyer to represent my mentally ill adult brother on a drug charge. I have no idea what I should be asking the attorneys I call (other than their fees) since I never dreamed I would need an criminal attorney. Can anyone advise, please?
Thank you.
July 28, 2011
11:03 am
Who Is The Best Criminal Attorney In Loudoun County VA?
Who is the best of the best of the best of the best Criminal Attorney In Loudoun County VA? Looking for leads for an attorney who would shine taking on a case that could get national television exposure. Must have an impeccable reputation.
July 28, 2011
2:40 pm
How do I find a reputable criminal attorney in Ft Lauderdale? How can I check on his records?
I need to replace my friends attorney.(with his permission) I live in another state and have no idea how to check on lawyers to see if they are any good…the one my friend has know , turns out to be a bankruptcy lawyer and knows zip about criminal law or just doesn’t give a hoot….either way, we need to replace him! How and where do I get backround info on lawyers?
July 28, 2011
2:43 pm
You can find out all the attorneys in Loudoun County VA via the sourced link below. You can also ask that office a question via Manta’s own Q&A
July 29, 2011
4:46 pm
Browney is right. First step is Martindale Hubbell
From there, however, I would suggest the following:
1. Select 10 attorneys from the list that you think would be good, and call them for brief phone interview. As for their experience in this area. Ask for rates (hourly and retainer). Ask them how many cases they have actually tried to verdict (very important – prosecutors know who they are, and they get better deals in most cases and, if there is not a good deal, they will actually be ready to try the case). Finally, ask EACH of these 10 to identify another attorney or two whom they would recommend if they were not selected.
2. Narrow the field down to 3-4. Then (this is absolutely essential) you go and interview them, in person, at their office. You will be asking many of the same questions, but it is important that you get a good “feel” for the attorney. HOW you feel is as important as WHAT he says at this point (you have, hopefully, narrowed the prospects down to 3-4.
3. Now, and this is important, you should ask about whether he works up cases, and how he uses his support staff. Ask him, also, how long he has had his current secretary and paralegal. This is actually more important than you think. The fact is, these support staff people do alot of work around the office, and regardless what he says, will be doing alot of work for the client. A red flag goes up if he has gone through a line of these people. If a paralegal or secretary has been with him for a long time, they will be loyal and dedicated. Support staffs save attorneys (and clients) far more than they screw up. A line of support staff would be a red flag – and I would try to avoid that firm.
You should ensure that the attorney taking the case will be the one working up the case and appearing at all conferences.
The deal is … we are talking about prison. You cannot put a price on someone’ freedom. But even if you could, you must take all steps to hire an appropriate attorney. If you are going to spend thousands of dollars on fees and investigation (another topic for interviews), you should spend a few days (and a few hundred dollars in travel expenses) to make sure you get the right lawyer for the client.
Finally, you can usually determine the number of complaints a criminal lawyer has had for conduct, and whether he has been disciplined, but these records are usually incomplete and misleading.
Good luck.
July 29, 2011
5:41 pm
Can someone help me find an affordable criminal attorney in Atlanta?
I need a criminal attorney for my son that’s facing a murder charge. I have contacted several people however they are asking between 10k and 25k, I know there is someone out there cheaper than that!
July 29, 2011
11:35 pm
How does one go about finding the best criminal attorney in South Jersey?
What would be the best way to find a criminal attorney who other people have rated as great?