When you or your family face a life-altering moment – a serious auto accident, a criminal case or are charged with a DUI – you are at a major crossroads. How do you determine which path to take? Can you handle this yourself? Should you hire an attorney? Do you even have a case? How do you know which attorney to hire and which questions to ask?
All attorneys have a law degree and have passed the bar and are licensed to practice in the community they represent. But that’s largely where the similarities end. Not every attorney has years of experience in each specialty. And not every attorney has significant experience in the community or field in which they practice. An attorney who does most of his or her work in one field of law may not be proficient specifically in the field in which you need support. There are myriad differences between criminal law versus real estate law versus corporate law versus personal injury law. YOUR attorney should be experienced, committed and passionate about the work they are about to do for you. They work FOR you and you should be able to verify your attorney’s credentials and track record to determine if they are the right attorney for you.
CHECKING CREDENTIALS
At a minimum, you can check the Colorado Supreme Court website to check the status and disciplinary history of an attorney you are considering hiring. An attorney must have a status of “active” and in good standing in order to practice law within the state of Colorado. You can visit Attorney Regulation Counsel (coloradosupremecourt.com) to learn about a specific attorney’s status.
The two Rs: results and reviews
An experienced attorney should have positive reviews. Additionally, ask your attorney for information regarding past handling of cases similar to yours, any concerns they might have about your case or experience with other cases in this jurisdiction. A good attorney is willing to speak with you and answer all your questions to give you the confidence that they’re the right fit for you.
Your lawyer is your partner and advocate
Every case is different and while every experienced attorney can give you their opinion and insight as to the merits and potential success of your case, no attorney can guarantee results. Your attorney should listen carefully to your story and ask you detailed, insightful questions that can help inform the legal strategy for your case. You should feel comfortable discussing all the details of your case with your attorney and you should expect your attorney to treat you with respect, honesty and full transparency.
A professional personal injury attorney will provide you with full details as to their fee structure, communication pathways and resources at his or her firm so that you can feel confident your questions will be answered in a timely manner. By doing the necessary due diligence before you choose your personal injury attorney partner, you’ll avoid complications and problems that can arise when your personal injury lawyer is not a fit for you or your case.
If you’re facing a DUI charge, you’ll need an attorney who understands the ins and outs of DUI law. You’ll be facing TWO legal actions: one for the criminal offense for driving under the influence and a second case with the Department of Revenue for a potential revocation of your license. An experienced DUI lawyer will understand the nuances of both cases and will understand how to fight both of them to achieve the best possible outcome for you. Understanding your DUI attorney’s track record for successful resolution of cases as well as their strategy for fighting for YOUR case, will put you ahead of the game as you enter the system.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Contact the professional, experienced attorneys at Maher & Maher Law to discuss the facts of your case to determine your best next steps. The Maher & Maher Law team have years of experience in criminal, DUI and personal injury law and know how to fight for YOU to bring about the best outcome to your case. Our team is tenacious and determined and will dig deeper and fight harder to bring your case to a successful resolution. We’re available 24/7. Call (719-301-7500) or text (719-424-0057) Maher & Maher Law today for a free consultation.