What You Need To Know About The Person Who’ll Hold Your Future In Their Hands
If you need a felony lawyer in Colorado Springs, you have a lot on the line. Felony charges come with harsh penalties and lasting consequences that can impact every aspect of your life for years to come if El Paso County prosecutors obtain your conviction.
Because there is so much at stake – your family, finances, freedom, and future – you will want to do everything possible to avoid a conviction or otherwise obtain the best possible outcome in your case. And perhaps no factor plays a bigger role in whether that happens than your choice of a felony defense lawyer.
It is no exaggeration to say that you’re putting your life in your defense lawyer’s hands when facing felony charges. As such, making the right choice is critical when hiring a felony lawyer in Colorado Springs. That means meeting with several different attorneys to find the one who has the combination of experience, skill, grit, and determination needed to give you the best chance of a positive result.
But how do you know whether the defense attorney you are meeting with is the best choice to defend you against the charges you are facing? You ask questions that tell you who they are, what their record is, and how they’ll approach your case, as well as give you a sense of trust and confidence that you are in good hands.
Here are five questions you should ask when looking for a felony lawyer in Colorado Springs?
1. What is your experience with felony cases like mine?
Attorneys learn a lot about the law in law school. But being an effective felony defense lawyer requires more than what can be found in books and classrooms. The successful practice of criminal defense law in Colorado Springs requires the irreplaceable quality of experience.
The local criminal court system can be nuanced and complicated. Every judge is different. Every courtroom may have its own unique way of doing things. Sometimes, understanding the unwritten rules of felony defense in Colorado Springs and El Paso County is as important as knowing the law. That is something that is only gained through experience practicing in the area’s justice system.
Make sure that the felony defense lawyer you choose has spent a great deal of time defending clients in the area against felony charges like yours. Even better, find one who has experience as a felony prosecutor. The insights gained by being on the other side of the courtroom and the relationships developed with other prosecutors can give you an advantage at trial or when negotiating a plea bargain.
Related: Can One Felony Ruin Your Life in Colorado?
2. What is your track record in felony cases like mine?
Of course, experience only matters if it delivers results. Ask about previous cases like yours the attorney handled and what the outcomes of those cases were. After all, wouldn’t you rather have a felony defense lawyer who has a long track record of winning cases like yours, or one with an underwhelming batting average?
3. Will you handle my case personally or will another attorney in your practice?
When you meet with a felony defense attorney, who you see may not be who you get. In larger criminal defense law firms, in particular, the lawyer who may be the “face” of the firm – touting their own experience and success – may not be the attorney who actually handles your case. It isn’t unusual for such attorneys to hand your case off to a less experienced lawyer in their office.
While a team approach or involving junior attorneys or paralegals in the preparation of your defense can be very useful, you should make sure the criminal defense attorney you meet with will be fully engaged and in charge of your defense every step of the way, including at any trial.
4. How much will my felony defense cost?
Every felony criminal case is different. The legal and factual issues, the seriousness of the offense, whether your case concludes with a plea bargain or in a trial, will all play a role in how much your case will cost to defend. Ask the attorney how and when they bill for their services and what their rates are. Some felony attorneys bill by the hour, while others charge a flat fee depending on the type of case. You can also ask if they offer any payment plans if you might need one.
5. Why did you become a criminal defense lawyer?
This may seem like an overly personal question that doesn’t have anything to do with whether the lawyer will provide you an aggressive and effective defense. But, in actuality, their answer will tell you a lot about what you can expect from them as they defend your case.
Criminal defense is different than every other area of the law. Few attorneys will say that they had a calling to be a corporate lawyer or securities lawyer. But the best criminal defense attorneys chose to do what they do because they are passionate about protecting the rights of those accused of crimes. They are committed to the principle that everyone is innocent until proven guilty and dedicated to doing everything in their power to protect their clients. If the defense lawyer you meet with does not appear to appreciate how much is at stake for you, or perhaps even worse, seems to treat you more like a file than a person, keep searching.
James Newby Law: Experienced and Aggressive Felony Lawyer in Colorado Springs
If you are facing felony charges in Colorado Springs, you need a powerful ally and aggressive advocate to help you through this difficult time. An experienced felony attorney should not only understand what you are going through, but will be a tenacious defender of you, your rights, and will fight to deliver the best possible outcome in your circumstances. Your future is at stake, should you settle for anything less than the best?