Answer: When the police have called you to ask you questions, or after you have been arrested for a criminal offense, most people are frightened and act in a panic. Many people will call the same person a family member or co-worker called when that person was in trouble. Sometimes these are good choices. But remember, cousin Joey’s situation is very different from yours and his expectations from a criminal defense lawyer for his medical marijuana case may not be the same as your needs in a domestic violence case or a drug sales case.
The California State Bar website publishes attorney discipline. AVVO publishes ratings of lawyers by other lawyers or by their clients. Many attorneys have websites with information on the types of cases they have handled. You should look for things such as whether the attorney practices exclusively criminal defense or if the attorney will handle any type of case that pays the bills. You also need to be comfortable with your criminal defense attorney. When I take someone’s case, I ask many personal questions, both about the crime charged as well as about your life, your work, school, community work, etc. You need to feel secure that your criminal defense attorney will do the best job possible for your case, whether it is as serious as a homicide or sex case, or as simple as a petty theft.
You need to take enough time to make an informed choice. This may be one of the most important decisions you will make. Do not simply run down a list of phone numbers as though you are calling to see who delivers Hawaiian Pizza in your neighborhood!
An experienced criminal defense attorney will not agree to take every single case in every single courthouse, just to take your money, but will let you know if he/she is a fit depending on the timing of your criminal case, the attorney’s caseload, the jurisdiction where the case occurs, as well as your budget.