How to choose an attorney and get the best results:

First, ask your friends who have had contact with attorneys in the area of law you are concerned about. Find out what they think. If that is not an option call the State Bar association in your state for several referals. Check the Yellow Pages under the area you are looking for and call at least two or three firms and question them (see below).

Secondly contact several attorneys and discuss your problems, attorney fees and costs, and make sure the attorney you are talking with has the time to do your case and won't dump it off on a junior associate unless you approve of that associate. Make sure the attorney you hire is experienced in the area you need. If the case is a criminal case make sure you are getting someone who is experienced as both a criminal defense attorney and has tried cases before.

As far as fees and costs get your fee agreement in writing and read it carefully and discuss any questions with the attorney. Many attorneys will justifiably want the retainer paid before taking the case. Make sure the retainer fee is paid and that it is being credited to time spent by the attorney. Some attorneys will handle cases on a flat fee basis, make sure you know what that covers and what will happen if the attorney withdraws from the case or you change attorneys.

Make sure that if the case calls for investigation, discuss how an investigator should be used in your case and what it will cost in addition to attorney fees (The attorney is not going to pay for the investigator out of his fees).

Third, Write down all of your concerns and then discuss them with the attorney. Don't hold back information from your attorney, it could hurt you. Many sentencing guidelines base a possible sentence on a person's record. Also prior convictions can be used against you in court if up testify. Disclose that information to your attorney. Remeber that an attorney can not operate in the dark. Also keep in mind that an attorney is an officer of the court and will not help you perjure yourself. Even if you feel you are guilty an attorney may see a legal defense or be able to minimize the impact of a guilty plea.

Fourth. Keep in regular contact with your attorney's office and advise the office of all changes of address and phone numbers orally AND in writing.

Fifth. Work with your attorney. Give him or her the names of all possible witnesses and their addresses and phone numbers. Again, do it in writing as it will help the attorney from wasting time searching for that information DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST WEEK BEFORE TRIAL. BECOME INVOLVED AT THE OUTSET AND STAY THAT WAY. IF YOU DON'T SHOW ANY INTEREST IN YOUR CASE THAT COULD RUB OFF ON YOUR ATTORNEY!!! CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF ATTORNEYS ARE PEOPLE ALSO.

Sixth. Discuss with your attorney well in advance what you should do and wear when in court. As a general rule dress nicely and conservatively. You want a judge and jury to feel good about you. If you testify, go over it with your attorney BEFORE you go to court. Always tell the truth when asked a question. As a general rule keep your answers short on cross examination (that's when the other side is questioning you). However, there may be some cases when a prosecutor asks a question that requires you to point out that the question itself assumes incorrect facts or is misleading. In those cases point out the error but keep it short and don't argue. Make sure you go through a practice cross examination with your attorney before you go into court. Don't try and wing it!

Also remember that you don't have to testify in a criminal case and in some cases an attorney will tell you she doesn't want you to testify. Discuss this issue thoroughly with an attorney.

Also when deciding what to spend on a case, remember that a good investigator is worth her or his weight in gold by finding out not only evidence about your side of the case but also learning what the other side's witnesses are up to. Don't hire the least expensive attorney in a case. Discuss his or her's hourly rate, retainer fee, and investigation costs. If you go cheap you may end up with bad results. On the other hand you don't always have to pay the highest fee either.

Finally, there are probably areas I haven't touched here. Ask the attorney you see to explain any questions you have.

Still have questions? Contact me at:

WWW Address = http://www.efn.org/~bobl