SELECTING A LAWYER

You may have tried dozens of websites, made several phone calls, and met with several attorneys. But how do you know who to hire? What should you be looking for? While there are a variety of answers to these questions, here's some things you should ask yourself before hiring an attorney.

- Does s/he really listen to me? Do I feel like I've been heard?
- Are they really just trying to promote themselves, or do they genuinely care about my interests and my case.
- Is this attorney someone who will have time for me and to work on my case, or are they just so busy that they treat me as though I'm wasting their time?
- Is this attorney experienced and qualified to handle this type of case? (Don't be afraid to ask if they've handled this type of case before.)
- Does this attorney have a high volume practice, low fee, and little time?
- Are they making promises I don't know they can keep?
- Are they fully informing me of my rights, the range of punishment I'm facing, my options.
- How accessible are they? In case of an emergency, do I have a good way to get in touch with them?

And remember, this is no time to be shy. This is your life we're talking about. Ask as many questions as you need to in order to make sure you make the right decision in hiring a lawyer.