Going through a criminal trial will likely be one of the most stressful experiences of your life. That's why you need a trusted criminal law attorney by your side to fight for you. If you're struggling to determine which lawyer is best for you and your case, start by asking them these questions.

How Much Do Your Services Cost?

Understanding how much your defense may cost is crucial. At the start of your interview, it's a good idea to ask immediately about the criminal law attorney's preferred payment plan. Generally speaking, most attorneys will either charge an hourly rate or a fixed fee.

It's up to you to decide which payment structure you like more. The fixed fee helps you better understand what you're getting into while the hourly rate gives you more flexibility. Consider the facts of your case when choosing between your payment options as that can help you identify the better value proposition.

Do Your Cases Often Go to Trial?

According to NOLO, 67% of personal injury cases end with a settlement. That's because it's time-consuming and anxiety-inducing to go through a trial, so many people try to avoid it in any way they can. If you want to keep settling as an option, you should look for a criminal law attorney who feels the same way. However, if you're convinced that your case will go to trial, you want a lawyer who has plenty of experience in a courtroom. Whatever the case may be, ensure that the criminal law attorney you hire has experience relevant to your case and situation.

How Long Have You Worked in This Area?

Finally, you should ask your criminal defense attorney about how long they've been working in your area. An attorney who has been practicing in a specific area for a long time will have long-standing relationships with other prominent members of the local legal community. They are better equipped to negotiate favorable deals for you because they have good relationships to fall back on.

Criminal law attorneys offer valuable services that keep innocent people out of jail. The best attorneys can even turn an unpleasant legal situation into a relatively stress-free affair for their clients. Get in touch with Sodomsky & Nigrini today if you need an experienced and trustworthy criminal law attorney working on your case.