When you are charged with a crime or offense, it is imperative that you understand the type of offense committed, your rights under the law and the possible consequences if you are found guilty. However, it is incomprehensible for a layman to fully understand the legal framework that surrounds his case and the recourse thereto. It is in this regard that you ought to procure the services of an attorney. It is important to note that there is an acute distinction between a civil law attorney and criminal law attorney.

Criminal defense attorneys are lawyers that are trained to defend the rights of an accused person against the prosecutor who represents the state. So basically, criminal law proceedings are between an individual who has committed crimes against his fellow citizens (the people) and the Republic which seeks to protect its citizens against such violations. Criminal defense attorneys represent litigants in various cases including white collar crimes, drug charges, domestic violence, sex crimes, misdemeanors and felonies among others. Therefore you are required to adduce the pasadena criminal defense attorney expertise before engaging other services. Hereunder are some basic tips for hiring a criminal defense attorney.

Inquire the attorney’s area of specialization

It is unintelligible that one lawyer can purport to be an expert in all spheres of law considering the number of departments that are inherent in the legal profession. It would be bemusing to find an attorney that is sufficiently skilled in property law, tort law, contract law, commercial law and criminal law. It requires specialty to enhance the level of expertise necessary to carry out a case efficiently. Therefore you ought to interrogate the areas that your prospective attorney has specialized before trusting him with your case.

Reputation

In the legal profession, reputation is held in high esteem especially because it takes time and efficiency to gain. Top legal practitioners are well known along the corridors of justice. In this case, it is advisable that you consult widely on the potential attorneys in order to pick a candidate that has a high standing in the legal profession.

Fees

Fees is a factor that you should consider, but it should not outweigh the quality of the advocate. You should be able to settle on an attorney on the basis of his services and not the fees. In essence, this means that not all expensive lawyers are good and not all cheap attorneys are bad.