If you find yourself in need of a criminal lawyer, there’s lots to consider as you decide who to entrust with your case. Here, we’ll walk you through what you’ll need to know in order to ensure you make the right decision when it comes to your legal representation.

• Search for experience relevant to your case

As a matter of course, you’ll be looking for an attorney with a criminal background, but don’t stop there. Try to find an attorney with experience dealing with the crimes you’ve been charged with. That personal experience can pay off over and over again in the course of your criminal proceeding. Don’t be afraid to ask each attorney you’re considering about their case history.

• Local expertise can prove valuable

Attorneys who practice in the state of Tennessee are licensed by the state bar association, but that doesn’t mean that all attorneys are created equal. Oftentimes, an attorney who has had a history of navigating the courthouse where you’ll appear will have gained invaluable experience with the local procedures employed there, and just as importantly, they’ll have established relationships with the district attorney’s office and other personnel you’ll come into contact with during your case.

• Find someone you’d be comfortable working with

Finding a criminal lawyer with the proper legal background and intimate knowledge of the local venue is important, but don’t lose sight of the fact that you’ll also need to find a criminal attorney who speaks plainly, offers clear explanations and sage advice where you might need education in the intricacies of the legal process, and – all in all – has a personality and temperament compatible with yours. After your initial consultation, ask yourself, “Is this someone I’d want to talk to for hours at a time? Can I trust that we’ll work well together over the course of weeks, months, or even years?”

• As the old saying goes, It takes a village

Your criminal attorney won’t be the only person working for you; he or she will have a team behind him made up of paralegals and staff. Ask to meet them so you’ll know who else will comprise your legal defense team.

Start your search with the Slaughter Law Firm

In the Slaughter Law Firm, you’ll find a Tennessee criminal lawyer who will fight zealously for you. Frankie Slaughter specializes in criminal law and is an active member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Contact us today for a free consultation.