How Do I Choose the Right Criminal Attorney in Texas?

A criminal charge is nothing to play around with, and it’s important to understand that the prosecutor’s office and the police are not interested in keeping you apprised of your rights. They’re interested in bringing a conviction. You need a criminal attorney in Sherman on your side, fighting for you, and as soon as possible. But how do you choose the right one?

How Do I Choose the Right Criminal Attorney in Sherman, Texas?

It’s possible you believe that you’ll automatically be found guilty if you’ve been charged: this is not the case, and every individual case is unique. There are often mitigating factors and ways to poke a hole in the prosecution’s story. Beyond that, there are plea bargains and other possibilities for lowering the charges or the penalties.

But to access all these possibilities, you need to work with an experienced criminal attorney who knows Texas law and has experience in the local courts. Here’s how to find what you need:

1. Accept That Representing Yourself Is a Mistake

It’s not uncommon for people to believe that self-representation is the best way to save money. Accept the reality that this isn’t the case. For one thing, you simply won’t know all your options, and no one in the prosecutor’s office is going to tell you what those are. For another, you will prejudice the judge against you in most cases, as judges are usually inclined to be frustrated when laypeople attempt to represent themselves and mess up basic court procedures along the way.

Furthermore, it’s unlikely that your actions will save you any money. While it’s true that you will have to pay your lawyer, having a skilled and experienced attorney on your side is the best way to avoid the worst of the penalties, including hefty financial penalties. In a worst-case scenario, you could easily end up owing tens to even hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

2. Don’t Accept a Public Defender If You Can Help It

3. Do Your Homework

It always pays to check carefully as you look for a lawyer. You want to research some of the reviews you see, schedule an appointment for a consultation, even if that’s a consultation by phone or over Zoom, and check with the State Bar of Texas. The State Bar keeps a record of all lawyers in good standing in the state. This allows you to verify that a lawyer has the experience and education they claim and that there are no disciplinary actions being taken against them by their peers.

4. Look for a Great Reputation

It’s very important that your lawyer have a good reputation for success in criminal law. Your future and freedom are on the line, and this is not the time to trust all that to an untested attorney. Look for a law firm that has been in business for a long time and has lots of satisfied clients. You want someone who is equally good at negotiating a plea bargain and taking your case all the way to court.

There are lots of awards and memberships that you can look for, as well. A law firm that has been given these awards or has membership in these elite groups has proven over time that they are consistently good at what they do. Look for things like Top 25 Criminal Trial Lawyers, membership or acknowledgement by Super Lawyers, the National Top 100 Trial Lawyers, membership in the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, etc.

5. Look for Experience

Awards are great, and so is a good reputation and lots of education, but even a firm that has been in business only a year or two can have an excellent reputation if they’ve done a good job so far.

But if they’ve only been representing clients for a short time, they don’t have a lot of experience and may not have dealt with a case like yours. It’s important to look for someone who has specific experience defending clients in situations like yours.

When you call or meet your lawyer for an initial consultation, be sure to ask about this and find out specifically what they would recommend for your case. As you listen to their recommendation, note whether there’s a lot of hesitation or whether the lawyer immediately sketches out a basic plan. At the same time, don’t trust anyone who promises you the moon. No lawyer can guarantee that you won’t be convicted, so look for honesty.

6. Excellent Communication Skills

Another characteristic of a great lawyer is that they have excellent communication skills. Someone with good skills will keep you fully informed throughout the process and be open and honest with you at all points. This is something else to assess as you speak to them initially.

7. Act Quickly

While it is important to carefully vet a potential lawyer, it’s equally important to act quickly. The longer you go without representation, the more likely it is you will accidentally say or do something that can harm your case. And don’t forget that the prosecution is hard at work putting together a case against you and potentially even ignoring other suspects and mitigating evidence in their haste to get this case all wrapped up. Ideally, you want to call a lawyer as soon as you are given the opportunity to make a phone call.

As soon as you are arrested, tell the police that you will not say anything until you speak with a lawyer, and insist on speaking with the lawyer immediately. Even if they agree, be aware that it is a common tactic for the police to find excuses to delay and to try to engage you in small talk to see what they can get out of you. Resist all of these attempts and simply stay quiet until you’ve talked to an attorney.

Remember also that the longer you wait to contact an attorney, the less time you give your lawyer to prepare a case. The court will set dates for you to appear without any concern for whether you’ve had a chance to think through which lawyer you want to choose, so while you should look carefully at the reputation and experience of your lawyer, make sure to move as quickly as you can.

If you’re facing a criminal charge, reach out to us right now at the Pelley Law Office, LLP. We’ve been defending clients since 1974, have an A+ rating from the BBB, and have earned extensive awards for our excellent representation. Contact us now in Sherman, Plano, or Dallas and let’s set up a free consultation to talk through your case.

Contact Our Texas Criminal Defense Law Firm For Help Today

If you’re facing criminal charges in Texas, we’re here to help. Contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers at Pelley Law Office, L.L.P., today to schedule a free consultation.

We proudly serve Plano, Dallas, Sherman, and the surrounding areas.

Pelley Law Office L.L.P. – Plano Office
Address: 1312 14th St, Plano, TX 75074
Phone: (972) 608-0335
Hours: 24/7

Our firm is located near you. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 33.0180322,-96.6952916,863

Pelley Law Office L.L.P. – Sherman Office

Address: 905 N Travis St, Sherman, TX 75090
Phone: (903) 813-4778
Hours: 24/7

Our firm is located near you. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 33.6445846,-96.6113141,857