Perhaps you made the mistake of operating a vehicle while under the influence and you caused significant damage as a result. Or maybe you got roped into doing something illegal without totally realizing it and are facing a series of harsh penalties. No matter what your specific situation happens to be, if you’re facing criminal charges and are looking at some pretty serious consequences in the event that you are found guilty, then you’ll need the right attorney to defend you and help you come away from your situation with as little punishment as possible.
Of course, finding the best criminal lawyer to argue your case is easier said than done. After all, every criminal attorney in your area is going to boast of his or her expertise; and while you may be tempted to opt for the person who offers the cheapest rates, considering the fact that your entire future is on the line, money certainly isn’t the only factor to take into account when making your decision.
When meeting with attorneys in an attempt to find the right one, it’s a good idea to ask questions about each person’s experience not just in the general criminal defense arena, but with regard to your specific situation. And if you’re looking at jail time or significant monetary fines, then you’ll especially want to find someone with a proven track record of successfully defending those charged with similar crimes.
While these tactics should certainly help you reach the right decision when it comes to hiring a criminal defense lawyer, there’s one more thing you should consider before making your final choice – hiring an attorney who happens to be a former prosecutor. Jennifer B. Page is a seasoned criminal defense lawyer who has helped numerous clients in Montgomery County, Maryland walk away from criminal charges with the best possible outcomes, and she wholeheartedly agrees that hiring a former prosecutor for criminal defense comes with its share of advantages.
As a former prosecutor herself, Page in the perfect position to understand how the legal system works. After all, she has seen it from both sides – the prosecutor side, and the defense attorney side. Since Page is intimately familiar with the ins and outs of the system, she can use that specific knowledge to her clients’ advantage. Additionally, navigating the legal system can be an overwhelming prospect for someone who is charged with a crime for the first time and is therefore unfamiliar with how things work. By hiring a former prosecutor to represent you, you’ll be getting the benefit of having a professional at your side who can tell you what to expect every step of the way.
Another benefit of hiring a criminal defense attorney who is a former prosecutor is that by doing so, you’ll get to work with someone who is familiar with the strategy that prosecutors tend to employ when fighting to make criminal charges stick. As a former prosecutor, Page fully understands how the other side operates, and she can use this knowledge to help her clients emerge from their legal battles in the most victorious fashion possible. According to Page, when it comes to matters of criminal defense, knowing your enemy is truly half the battle, and there’s no one more qualified than a former prosecutor to provide this kind of insight and use it to his or her clients’ advantage.
While hiring a criminal defense attorney who is also a former prosecutor is clearly a wise strategy, Page believes that seeing the words “former prosecutor” on a lawyer’s resume isn’t enough. Rather, when seeking out someone to defend your reputation, you must make certain to find an attorney with whom you are comfortable and can speak freely with. The last thing you’ll want is a lawyer who is rude, abrasive, and treats you like a lowlife, whether or not you are actually guilty. Remember, the better you are able to communicate with your attorney, the more likely he or she will be to achieve the best possible legal outcome on your behalf. So while hiring a former prosecutor is a step in the right direction, you should also do your best to find a criminal defense lawyer who is willing to listen to what you have to say. After all, the word “criminal” can have a lot of different meanings within the legal system as well as society, but a good attorney will treat you as a respected client, not as some criminal who happened to walk through the door.
This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Publication of this article and your receipt of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.
