Changing Lawyers
Can I switch or change lawyers?
You have a right to be represented by the lawyer of your choice. If you choose a lawyer and decide later that they are not the right lawyer for you, you can change. Though note that if you are on legal aid or if you have a trial date set, for example, changing lawyers may pose some challenges. But hiring a lawyer does not bind you to that lawyer indefinitely.
That being said, do not be hasty to change lawyers. Communication is key. If you are dissatisfied with your lawyer’s services the first best thing to do is always to communicate that to your lawyer. Discuss it with them first. The issue may be based on a misunderstanding or the lawyer may be able to improve in the area you feel needs improvement.
But for an accused person looking to find the right lawyer in the first place, considering the stress associated with the initial important decision, he or she may take some comfort in knowing that they are not bound to that lawyer forever if, for some reason, they feel they need to change lawyers at some point.
How do I Find a Lawyer Most Likely to be Successful in my Case?
How important is it to find a criminal lawyer with a high rate of success?
Past success can tell you something about a lawyer’s ability to succeed in achieving the goals you seek for your case. But keep in mind that every case is different, some cases are more difficult than others, and past success will never guarantee future success. Use your judgment to determine what a lawyers’ rate of success in cases similar to yours can tell you about the outcomes they might be able to achieve in your case.
Should I find somebody who specializes in criminal law?
Many criminal defence lawyers exclusively practice in the area of criminal law, or criminal and regulatory law. Some lawyers will have a more general practice. The most important thing is to be certain that the lawyer you hire is excellent in the area of work you need them to be. That is not to say somebody who practices in other areas cannot be an excellent criminal defence lawyer, but you certainly want a lawyer who has sufficient experience and skills dealing with cases similar to yours.
Which criminal lawyer will get me the best result?
Ultimately, nobody can predict the future. Trust your judgment after speaking with several lawyers to determine who is best for your case. Do not let wishful thinking cloud your judgment. Do not simply opt for the lawyer who predicts the best result. One lawyer may predict a range of results that is more in line with what you want to hear than another lawyer. One lawyer may have a more optimistic view about the prospects for a finding of not guilty in your case than another lawyer. That does not mean the one lawyer is being dishonest and the other honest. It also does not mean that the optimistic lawyer is actually more likely to achieve the best result than the lawyer who identifies more areas of concern that will need to be dealt with.
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