The Importance of Criminal Defense in Our Country

I would like to thank everyone for this opportunity to speak about something that is close to my heart. Criminal law in our country is fraught with loopholes and challenges. Having a run-in with the law does not take much these days; and if you or a loved one has ever been in such a situation, you know how heart-breaking it can all be. That is why it is essential that you read the following. Finding a criminal defense lawyer when it matters the most is not difficult; finding a GREAT one is the tough part.

Do you actually need one?

This is essential to find out. If you have been charged with a minor misdemeanor, you may find that consulting with a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney is all you need, instead of asking him to represent you in court. A consultation is a good way of finding out the exact charges against you, the defenses that you can use and the plea bargain, if any, which may be offered to you. However, if you are charged with a serious misdemeanor, it will be a better idea to ask the said attorney to represent you in court.

What kind of defense do you need?

This depends on the kind of charge or lawsuit that has been filed against you. If you have broken a state law, such as a traffic violation, broken a contract, a family dispute, a robbery, etc., then you need a lawyer who is conversant with state laws. For example, a Fort Lauderdale DUI attorney is what you need to hire if you have been charged with drunk driving. If you have broken a federal law, like cases against the United States Constitution, a copyright case, a patent case or bankruptcy matters, then you need a lawyer who is conversant with federal law. In case it is a federal lawyer you need, make sure that you hire someone who is experienced at it and has the time and resources to devote himself to your case.

Decide if a Public Defender is a good idea

If you have broken a law or been charged with breaking one, you can take the help of a Public Defender to assist your case. But the truth is that the professional life of a Public Defender is very full. At any point of time, he may be juggling 200 or more cases, and the time he can devote to a single case is very little. A great Public Defender may be extremely passionate about his job, but even with the best intentions, the sheer number of cases is enough to overwhelm a single person no matter how good he is. That is the reason why I always recommend people to hire a private Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney like Castellano Legal if they can afford it.

Do your homework

You should understand that selecting a good criminal defense lawyer is the most important step you can take if you or a loved one has been charged. That is why doing your homework is essential for success. Apart from being a member of the County and State Bar Associations, memberships to ABA’s Criminal Justice Section and State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers are good things to look for in your lawyer.