Have you been accused of a violent crime in the State of Nebraska? If so, you are likely facing serious penalties if convicted of the charges against you. The most important step you can take for you, and for your future, is to retain the services of an experienced violent crime lawyer as soon as possible. If this is the first time you have found yourself in need of a violent crime lawyer, you may not know what to look for in an attorney nor what questions to ask when consulting with one. Although every case is unique, the following questions to ask your violent crime lawyer may help you choose the right lawyer for your case and help you feel a bit more in control of your situation.
- How much of your practice is focused on criminal defense? Most attorneys choose to focus their practice on two or three areas of the law. Some even limit their practice to a single area of the law. While it is true that a licensed attorney is allowed to practice any type of law, it is virtually impossible for a lawyer to gain the experience necessary to be an expert at all types of legal issues. Consequently, when looking for an attorney, you want one who focuses his/her practice primarily on the type of legal issue you are facing.
- How long have you been practicing law? As a general rule, an attorney who has been practicing law for many years has gained invaluable experience and made important contacts with people involved in the legal system. Both of these can be to your benefit.
- How is a violent crime different than a non-violent crime? Asking this question will give you an idea of how the lawyer will approach your case and how the lawyer views your situation. Violent crimes typically carry with them increased penalties if convicted. Another important difference between violent crimes and non-violent crimes is that violent crimes usually involve a victim. The fact that a victim is involved will often be important when deciding on defense strategies.
- What can you tell me about the prosecutor and/or court? This is information that only an experienced attorney can give you. The reality is that some prosecutors and/or judges are harder on certain types of cases or defendants. If you are dealing with a prosecutor who always asks for the maximum sentence for violent crimes, for example, it helps to know that up front. Likewise, if the judge presiding over your case is known for handing out harsh sentences for defendants who take their cases to trial and lose, you definitely want to know that when deciding how to proceed with your case.
- What defense strategies do you envision? Most attorneys will not go into detail about defense strategies until they have had an opportunity to review all the State’s evidence against you and spent a considerable amount of time discussing the case with you; however, a lawyer should be able to discuss possible defense options with you after reading the basic charging information and having an initial consultation with you.
- What percentage of your cases go to trial? Some lawyers tend to plead out most of their cases while others tend to take cases to trial more frequently. There is certainly nothing wrong with accepting a plea agreement if that is your best option; however, you don’t want to hire a lawyer who avoids trials if you have a good shot at winning at trial.
- What percentage of your cases do you win? Naturally, it helps to know how often an attorney wins when he/she takes a case to trial. No attorney wins every case; however, you undoubtedly want a lawyer who wins a good percentage of the time on your side.
Contact a Nebraska Violent Crime Lawyer
If you have been charged with a violent criminal offense in the State of Nebraska, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced Nebraska violent crime lawyer right away to discuss possible defenses. In Nebraska contact Petersen Criminal Defense Law 24 hours a day at 402-509-8070 to discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Attorney Petersen was invited to join the National Advocacy for DUI Defense (NAFDD) organization in 2013. NAFDD vets thousands of lawyers and only chooses those who have achieved stellar results in DUI defense cases. Attorney Petersen was named one of the Top 50 defense attorneys in Nebraska out of more than 5,000.
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