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There is nothing easy about dealing with the processes and potential consequences that come with criminal charges. One of the only things you can do to make your situation less painful is hire one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Utah.

Whether or not you committed the crime, you want an attorney who is completely on your team and wants the best outcome for you. You want someone who will move the process along so you can move on with your life.

But, how do you know what to look for when you’re meeting attorneys? Here are 5 areas to explore with prospective attorneys when you’re making this critical decision for your future.

Track Record

This may seem like a given, but take the extra time to research each attorney’s past success stories. It’s worth paying a higher rate for a defense attorney who seems more likely to lower fines and decrease jailtime.

Ask prospective attorneys to share cases they defended that are similar to your own. Ask about the outcomes of these cases. You may also look at the firm’s website for published case studies. When you’ve gathered the information, consider the cases’ actual outcomes versus the potential outcomes.

Testimonials

Read as many positive and negative Google reviews as you can for all of the defense attorneys in your pool of options. The more descriptive the review, the better. A prior client might say the defense attorney is a “great guy to work with,” but that won’t necessarily get you the desired results.

Areas of Expertise

Criminal defense attorneys are not all created equal. Almost all attorneys specialize in, and master, certain areas of criminal law. For example, Salt Lake City’s criminal defense attorneys Brown, Bradshaw, and Moffat have handled thousands of violence and sex crimes cases, therefore, our firm is an ideal match for anyone going to court with related charges.

Credibility

How long have you been practicing? Where did you go to school? What is the school’s reputation? What bar associations are you a member of? Are you in good standing with the legal system? Have you had any issues with attorney misconduct?

An attorney’s answers to all of these questions should instill confidence that you’ve made the best decision.

Dedication & Communication

Even if an attorney has a glowing record, it doesn’t mean much if he or she is distracted and unresponsive. Your attorney should be absolutely dedicated to you and your case with the tenacity to persevere with you to the end. Along the way, your attorney should be transparent and open with you through the process. Their job is to ease some of the burden you are carrying, not add to it.

Do you need to speak to a criminal defense attorney in Utah? Learn more about the attorneys at Brown, Bradshaw, and Moffat to see if we are the right fit. Read our attorney bios and explore our areas of expertise.

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