How to Find the Right Lawyer for Your Loved One’s Situation

Hearing that a loved one is in legal trouble is one of those moments that flips everything upside down. It doesn’t matter what it is, like a DUI for example, everything just becomes turmoil immediately. Just think about it; one minute, everything is fine. The next, a phone call drops a legal nightmare into the middle of the day. The first instinct? Help. Fix. Well, just try and do something.
But that’s when reality kicks in, they need a lawyer. And not just any lawyer, but one who actually knows what they’re doing. Because a good lawyer? They can make all the difference. A bad one? That’s how things go from bad to worse. While sure, not everyone can get Saul Goodman on their side, there’s still hope in getting a good lawyer.
Even so, it’s just not a good idea to just pick the first name from an internet search or go with the guy who “knows someone”. Basically, legal trouble is not the time for random guesses. Now, with that said, how can you find a good one?
Not Every Lawyer is a Good Fit
Just because someone has “Esq.” in their email signature doesn’t mean they’re the right one for the job. Just think of it like this; law is like medicine, specialists exist for a reason. You wouldn’t go to a foot doctor for heart surgery, and you shouldn’t hire a divorce attorney for a criminal case.
Well, for criminal charges, a criminal defense lawyer is the one to call. But if the case involves a DUI or anything related to driving under the influence, a DUI lawyer is the better option. But what if this is a financial crime? Well, that’s where an economic crimes attorney comes in. If the case involves immigration issues, an immigration lawyer is the right choice. Do you see the point? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here.
So, just finding the right kind of lawyer is step one. If their specialty doesn’t match the case, it doesn’t matter how good they are.
Getting Them Out Comes First
If someone is sitting in jail, step one is getting them out. Okay, that was pretty straightforward, right? Well, it’s hard to build a defense from behind bars, and legal trouble is stressful enough without them being stuck in a cell. Now, bail bonds can help speed up the process, allowing them to start preparing for their case instead of wasting time waiting for a court date.
Plus, there’s a bit of normalcy for them in the meantime too. So try and help them with getting the bailout.
Remember: A Flashy Website Doesn’t Win Cases
Some lawyers are better at marketing than they are at defending cases. You’ve probably seen those cheesy commercials on TV, right? Maybe those ridiculous billboards as well. Well, a slick website, a catchy slogan, and a bunch of stock photos of serious-looking people in suits do not mean they know how to win.
So, experience matters more than how impressive their homepage looks. How many cases like this have they handled? How often do they actually go to trial? What do past clients say? So, just a quick internet search, checking reviews, or even asking for referrals can reveal if they’re legit, or just good at pretending to be.