Being charged with a criminal offence, and navigating your way through the court process, is an extremely stressful experience (if you’re unsure about the steps, see the stages of a criminal trial in Canada). A criminal conviction has the potential to have serious consequences for your future — learn more about how a criminal record can affect you. When hiring a criminal lawyer, it is important to ensure you hire someone who is capable of helping you find the best possible defence, and with whom you feel comfortable working through this difficult period in your life. Things to look for in a defence lawyer include the following:
- Experience in the general area, and with similar cases,
- Reputation with other lawyers, prosecutors, police and judges, and
- Success rate in general and with similar cases.
A lawyer with a focused practice in criminal defence will have a better understanding of novel and technical arguments, and will be able to explore every possible defence to the allegations you face. In evaluating a lawyer, it is useful to consider reviews from past clients, media coverage, and summaries of previous cases, as well as how much it costs to hire a criminal defence lawyer; and to make the most of your consultation, review what to prepare for your first meeting with a lawyer.
