how to find criminal defense attorney

Who is the best criminal defense lawyer?

To initiate the process of finding the right criminal defense attorney for your case, you should start by performing an online search for lawyers who practice criminal law in your area. Within your search results, you will most likely see ads for individual firms, various attorney referral service providers, state and local bar associations, and legal aid and pro bono services.

What makes a good criminal lawyer?

When considering a criminal defense lawyer, look for reviews or experience related to your specific case, as this attorney will have the most relevant experience to whatever situation you may find yourself in. How much does a criminal defense lawyer charge per hour in the Tampa area. Based on Attorneys' reported rates, you should expect to pay ...

Where can I find a criminal lawyer?

When considering a criminal defense lawyer, look for reviews or experience related to your specific case, as this attorney will have the most relevant experience to whatever situation you may find yourself in. How much does a criminal defense lawyer charge per hour in the Tampa area. Based on Attorneys' reported rates, you should expect to pay ...

What is the job description of a defense attorney?

If you ever find yourself in trouble with the law, it is very important that you hire a criminal defense attorney to represent you. In many situations, a defense attorney has the expertise to protect yourself and your rights. if police, investigators, or prosecutors want to question you and a defense attorney is not present, it could result in you unintentionally implicating yourself in a …

What questions should I ask a criminal defense attorney?

The following is a list of some important questions that a person may want to ask a potential criminal defense attorney in advance of retaining them. These include: 1 Whether the consultation session is free, and if not, what do they charge for it?; 2 How do they structure their fee arrangements? (e.g., do they bill by the hour, or is it a flat fee?); 3 Have they ever handled similar cases? If so, how many and what were the outcomes of those cases?; 4 How long does the attorney expect the case to go on for? (note that this will vary drastically by case and may even change during the course of it); 5 What type of law do they practice? Do they specialize in any subcategories or particular matters within criminal law?; 6 How many years of legal experience do they have in the criminal defense field?; 7 Are there other ways to resolve the case, or is court the only option?; 8 How often does the attorney update their clients? Is there a certain method they use to stay in touch with clients? What is it? Are they reachable by that same method?; and 9 Will the attorney-client privilege cover details about the case that are disclosed in the meeting? Will the privilege still apply, even if the attorney is not chosen to represent them?

What can a criminal defense lawyer do?

A criminal defense lawyer can help you do just that by informing you about your rights under the law, conducting research to find potential defenses you can raise against your charges, and providing representation in criminal court.

What is a criminal advocate?

A criminal advocate, more commonly known as a criminal defense attorney, is a type of lawyer who specializes in criminal law. Specifically, a criminal defense attorney focuses on protecting the legal rights of their client and making sure that the rights laid out in the U.S. Constitution continue to be upheld as they were intended.

Who initiates a criminal case?

Unlike a civil lawsuit, a criminal case is initiated by a government actor . In most criminal cases, this government representative is usually a district attorney or state prosecutor.

What happens if a suspect pleads not guilty?

The suspect will then attend an arraignment hearing where they will either plead guilty or not guilty to the charges; Their plea will trigger the pretrial process (i.e., the stages where both the prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney build their respective cases);

What happens when a trial ends?

Once trial ends, the judge and/or jury will decide the outcome of the case; If the defendant is guilty, then they will need to attend a sentencing hearing where the court will issue a punishment; and. Finally, the defendant may file an appeal to try to reverse the decision of the trial court.

What is the job of a criminal lawyer?

Among many other tasks, a good criminal lawyer will review the facts of a defendant’s case, make sure that the police followed the proper procedures to gather evidence, hire expert witnesses to testify on behalf of the defendant, and provide solid representation in court.

Who is Ben Stechschulte?

Ben Stechschulte, a board certified expert in criminal trial law , has been practicing in the Tampa Bay area for nearly 15 years and has tried over 60 cases to verdict. His...

Who is Zonald Spinks?

Zonald E. Spinks is a graduate from the University of South Florida and the Florida Coastal School of law. Mr. Spinks is admitted to practice law in the state of Florida...

Experienced in All Aspects of Criminal Defense

The experience of each Tampa criminal defense attorney extends to all aspects of your case. We provide effective representation at every stage after your arrest, including pre-trial hearings and negotiations. No matter what the alleged offense, when you need expert Tampa criminal defense, you will get it here.

Tampa Felony Lawyer

Our attorneys are experienced with all varieties of felony cases. A felony in Florida is a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. Florida recognizes several different classes of felonies, which every Tampa defense lawyer at our firm knows inside and out:

Misdemeanors in Tampa

Florida law has divided misdemeanors into two groups, both of which a skilled Tampa criminal defense lawyer understands how to fight.

Criminal Expungement & Record Sealing

Under certain circumstances, you may be eligible to have your criminal record expunged or sealed. Expungement is the process by which your criminal convictions are removed from your state records. Sealing records makes the record of your convictions very difficult to access.

Tampa Criminal Lawyers

Are you facing jail time for a serious charge? Have you been cited for a misdemeanor and now face stiff fines? Don’t wait: Expert legal defense is your best option. Call or fill out our online contact form for your free and confidential initial consultation.

Are you facing criminal charges?

The average person simple cannot understand criminal law in its entirety. The criminal defense attorney you hire must be familiar with federal, state, and local rules of the court, and have the necessary skills needed to defend your case.

Need an attorney in Tampa, FL?

Find the right attorney by reviewing and comparing our profiles of lawyers and their law firms, with details on each attorney and their colleague’s practice, experience, education, training, honors and fee structure. Carefully consider client reviews and recommendations from people just like you.