How Do You Select A New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney?
If you’re currently in the process of trying to find a lawyer, you are probably scratching your head about how to find a lawyer that is right for your situation. You’ll probably want to know how much experience the prospective attorney has in handling legal situations like yours. Finding the right NJ criminal defense attorney, presents a unique set of circumstances. Your freedom and life may be hanging in the balance, and you want to be sure that your hiring decision is an informed one.
Often times, you will ask friends for their experiences on hiring a lawyer. They may or may not be able to refer you to someone with whom they had a positive experience. Typically, it is unlikely that your friend had a legal matter very similar to yours. Another option is to peruse the Yellow Book. This may mean looking through hundreds of lawyers. Further, what can truly be gleaned from a Yellow Book listing? How can you ascertain whether or not this lawyer is right for your particular set of circumstances?
Because hiring the right lawyer is such an important decision, the New Jersey Supreme Court has developed a Board on Attorney Certification. The certification Board has designed a program to certify certain lawyers in the state. The idea is shield consumers from misleading advertisements and to contribute to the overall quality of legal representation in the state. Choosing a certified attorney can help you feel confident that your are hiring a lawyer that has met certification requirements.
The Board currently certifies attorneys in four main practice areas. One of these is criminal trial law. The purpose of the criminal trial law certification is to help consumers find NJ criminal attorneys who have a recognized level of competence in criminal defense law. Attorneys who have received this certification are able to demonstrate sufficient levels of experience, education, knowledge and skill in criminal law; have passed a rigorous examination; and have been recognized by their peers as having sufficient skills and reputation in the field of criminal defense.
When looking for a lawyer, don’t hesitate to ask whether or not they have Board certification. While this shouldn’t be the only factor playing into your decision, it is a good guideline for helping you find criminal lawyers that are experienced in handling criminal cases in New Jersey. You can also review the list of certified criminal defense lawyers at the New Jersey Board of Attorney Certification’s website. There, you will find more information about the certification process, as well as, a complete list of all certified attorneys in the various practice areas.
Criminal charges can lead to a permanently tarnished record, heavy fines and even years in jail. Every decision you make today could affect your life for years down the road. Don’t speak a word to the police, and choose your NJ criminal defense attorney carefully. For more information on New Jersey criminal defense law, read our NJ criminal attorney blog.
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