Ottawa has many criminal lawyers to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. You probably will not want to just take your chances with the first one you find. There are many ways you can narrow down the field and get a lawyer who can best try your case.
Sometimes the best place to start is by asking associates and family for referrals. Chances are that someone you know will have a recommendation. You can also search online, but not just at the lawyers’s own websites.
Come up with a few who seem promising, and then make some appointments so that you can meet with them. Make sure you are prepared with questions that will help you determine whether this is the right lawyer for you. Here are some examples of information you need to get:
- Is he or she a courtroom lawyer? This is of utmost importance because lawyers who are not comfortable in the courtroom may just try to get you to take a plea agreement. While this can be beneficial for some accused of a crime, you do not want to automatically plead guilty or no contest. You need an attorney who is willing to do negotiations and fight for your best outcome.
- How much experience does he or she have? Obviously, everyone has to start somewhere, but you probably do not want to put your life in the hands of a person who has not been practicing law for very long, or who does not have experience with cases such as yours. While every case has extenuating circumstances, you will want a representative who know the law well.
- Will your lawyer be personally involved? You want a lawyer who cares about providing you with one-on-one service, and who will be taking care of every aspect of the case, so that he or she will know it inside and out. If your attorney has assistants doing all the work, then when it comes down to individualized attention, you will not be getting that from your lawyer.
Most often, you can find out a lot of information about a lawyer before you even meet him or her. You should also be sure to choose a lawyer who you trust and get along with. Do not feel obligated to return to a lawyer who does not leave you with a good first impression.
