How to Check a Criminal Lawyer’s Background in Georgia

How to Check a Criminal Lawyer’s Background in Georgia

So you got arrested, and now you need a criminal defense lawyer. How do you make sure you choose a good one? A lawyer’s background tells you a lot about whether they will be a good fit for your case. Here’s how to check out a criminal lawyer’s background in Georgia so you can find the best attorney.

Ask Around

Word of mouth is a great way to find a good lawyer. Ask friends, family, and coworkers if they know any criminal defense attorneys. Have they used one themselves, or do they know someone who has? Get the inside scoop on what it was like to work with that lawyer. Did they get a good result in their case? How responsive and caring was the attorney? Would they use them again? Getting a personal recommendation from someone you trust goes a long way.

You can also ask other lawyers for their opinions. If you already have a family lawyer or real estate attorney, ask them who they would hire if they got arrested. Lawyers know the reputations of other lawyers, both good and bad. They can tell you who is trustworthy, and who is not.

Search Online Reviews

Online reviews are another great way to research a lawyer’s background. Check sites like Avvo, Google Reviews, and Yelp to see what former clients have said. Look for lawyers who have a high overall rating and who respond helpfully to negative reviews. Read the reviews closely – are past clients describing issues like poor communication or weak defense skills? Those are red flags to watch out for.

Also look at the lawyer’s own website. Professional sites that are easy to navigate and provide useful information indicate that the lawyer pays attention to details. Be wary of sites that seem hastily thrown together or don’t provide much helpful information.

Verify Their License

It’s important to make sure any lawyer you consider hiring is licensed to practice law in Georgia. You can easily verify a lawyer’s license status by searching the State Bar of Georgia website. Simply enter their name in the licensee search bar, and it will pull up info on when they were admitted to the bar, where they went to law school, and whether they are currently in good standing or have faced disciplinary action.

Don’t hire anyone who isn’t properly licensed or who has been disciplined for unethical behavior like overbilling or mishandling cases. Requiring licensure ensures lawyers meet basic competency standards, so steer clear of anyone who hasn’t jumped through those hoops.

Research Their Background

There are a few handy online tools that let you dig into a lawyer’s professional background:

• Westlaw – This legal research service shows a lawyer’s litigation history, including cases they have worked on and results obtained. You can see if they have handled cases similar to yours and get a sense of their experience.
• Avvo – Avvo’s lawyer profiles provide info on practice areas, client reviews, disciplinary history, and more. Their rating system grades lawyers from 1-10 to help you assess overall quality.
• Nolo – This legal website includes lawyer directories that allow you to search by location and area of practice. Listings have basic background on education and experience.
• Martindale-Hubbell – This service offers lawyer ratings based on peer reviews. High ratings indicate broad legal knowledge and excellent ethical standards.

Getting the inside scoop on a lawyer’s experience and track record helps ensure you choose someone qualified.

Ask About Their Specialties

Not all criminal lawyers are alike – some specialize in certain types of cases like white collar crime or domestic violence. Ask prospective lawyers what specific areas they focus on. Do they mainly handle misdemeanors like DUIs, or complex federal felonies? Have they worked extensively with cases like yours? You want a lawyer who is very familiar with the charges you are facing.

Also ask how much of their overall caseload is criminal law. Lawyers who do a wide variety of cases from family law to real estate may not have as much in-depth criminal experience. Look for those who devote a significant amount of time to criminal defense work.

Meet for a Consultation

Before hiring a lawyer, schedule an initial consultation so you can meet them face-to-face. This is an important opportunity to assess how comfortable you feel with them and how well you communicate. Do they listen attentively and answer all of your questions? Can you easily understand their explanations of the law and legal strategy? You want to choose a lawyer you have good rapport with.

Also ask plenty of questions during the consultation. How long have they been practicing criminal law? What are their fees and billing practices? Have they handled many cases similar to yours and what were the outcomes? Their responses will help you gain insight into their background.

Trust Your Instincts

At the end of the day, you need a criminal lawyer who you can trust completely with your freedom and future. If a lawyer seems sketchy, inexperienced, or just gives you a bad feeling, don’t second guess your gut instinct. Keep looking until you find someone who is knowledgeable, ethical, and who you feel confident putting your trust in. With the right lawyer, you’ll be able to navigate the criminal justice system with much greater peace of mind.

Checking out a lawyer’s background takes some time and effort, but it’s absolutely worth it. Following these steps will help you find the very best criminal defense attorney for your needs. With an experienced lawyer on your side, you can achieve the most positive outcome possible in your case. Don’t leave your future to chance – do your diligence before hiring a criminal lawyer in Georgia.