If you’ve been charged with reckless driving, this isn’t something to leave to chance in the courts. It’s not just a standard traffic offense like speeding but can be land you in jail. If you’ve been charged with reckless driving, then you need a lawyer that gives you the best chance at getting a positive result in court.
Reckless driving is one of the most serious traffic violations in Virginia. You know you need a Fairfax criminal attorney but how to choose the right one for your case. There are so many lawyers in your local area it can be difficult to know who to trust with your well-being.
We’ll examine how you can choose the best lawyer for your case.
Meet with Many Lawyers
The clock is ticking until your court date and you need to find a lawyer fast. It may be tempting to just choose the first one you see online or on a television commercial, but that would be a critical mistake.
There are many types of lawyers out there and just because they can make a television commercial doesn’t mean they’d be good for your case. Instead of just meeting a single lawyer or going to a single law office, make appointments with several in your area.
If you don’t like any of the ones you met, then make more appointments with other law firms. Choosing the right lawyer for your case is vital to winning it, so take the time to meet with several lawyers to get a feel for what’s out there and how you feel about each one.
You should bring in a pad and paper and record the information they provide you, so when it’s time to make a decision you have something to reference.
How Long Have They Practiced Serious Traffic Violations?
The longer a lawyer has practiced law the more experience they have in the courtroom and more strategy they have in building and winning your case.
A lawyer that has practiced for decades knows the judges and prosecutors in the area. They know how they think and the common legal strategies they use. They have the best chance of winning your case because they’ve been in court for a long time.
If you find a newer attorney, then they might have more energy to put towards the case and may not have the caseload of a veteran lawyer but they also don’t have the experience that goes with defending hundreds of cases.
Lawyers straight out of law school have a place, but if it’s a courtroom battle you need, then experience always wins out.
Choose a Lawyer with Experience in Reckless Driving Cases
Lawyers handle all different types of cases from civil to criminal. Some lawyers specialize in bankruptcy law and others have expertise in DUI cases. When talking to a lawyer, ask how much experience they have defending reckless driving cases specifically.
They may have lots of experience in serious traffic law, but how much of it is with reckless driving? It’s not as simple as defending someone who ran a red light or went 10 miles over the speed limit. You need someone that not only understands the many different traffic laws of Virginia but knows the intricacies of reckless driving cases.
Ask them how many they have represented and how many they won and lost. Experience only matters if it’s in the area you need help.
Will That Lawyer Handle Your Case?
When you enter into a large law firm with many lawyers, you’ll likely speak with a senior partner or someone high in the hierarchy of the firm. They’ll talk to you about their expertise and how they might handle your case.
You have to be careful because many times the lawyer you speak with at the consultation isn’t the one that handles your case. Many times, the senior lawyer speaks to the potential clients and then hands the case off to a less experienced lawyer at the firm.
When the court date arrives, instead of the experienced lawyer you expected, it’s a fresh-faced lawyer barely out of law school. Don’t let this happen to you and specifically ask who will handle your case.
How Much Does It Cost?
Lawyers run the gambit when it comes to how much it will cost to represent you at trial. The least expensive lawyers aren’t necessarily the worst and the most expensive aren’t necessarily the best.
When you ask about the cost, make sure they break it down for you, so there are no unexpected charges that come up. Does the cost include hiring expert witnesses or investigators to find out more information? Is this the cost of just showing up in court, etc?
You need to know your budget for the case. Do they take payment plans? Is the money expected upfront or billed afterward? These are all vital questions you need to know before choosing a lawyer.
How Do You Feel About Them?
One of the most important factors in choosing a lawyer is your gut reaction to meeting them. Your lawyer has the fate of your future in their hands and you want to have a good relationship. Are they easy to talk to?
Can you communicate with them promptly? Do they look stressed out or distracted? You want a Fairfax criminal attorney that can focus on your case, but if they are just waiting on the next appointment, then choose someone else.
If something doesn’t feel right to you about a lawyer, then trust your gut and move on. You deserve someone that will fight for you and treat you like a person.
Choose the Best Lawyer for Your Case
Reckless driving is one of the most serious traffic violations you can have. You need a Fairfax criminal attorney that gives you the best chances of being vindicated in court. If you follow these tips, you find the perfect lawyer to take care of you when the time comes.
If you want to learn more about traffic violations or would like to talk about your own case, then please contact us today.