4 Tips for Finding the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer In Cincinnati, Ohio

Anyone who finds themselves facing criminal charges needs to secure proper legal representation. Finding the right lawyer can make the difference between walking free and spending time in jail. Below are four tips for finding the best criminal defense lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ask Your Friends for Recommendations

If you have friends or acquaintances who have been through similar legal issues to those you are facing, their advice could prove invaluable. No amount of online research will ever be as reliable as talking to people who have first-hand experience with a criminal defense lawyer.

If you don’t personally know anyone who has had to hire a criminal defense attorney in the past, it is still worth asking if they know any good lawyers. Lawyers in a city like Cincinnati all know each other, and they will have contact details for lawyers in other specialties. For example, intellectual property lawyers or even medical malpractice attorneys may well be able to recommend a criminal defense lawyer. If you are still struggling to find a criminal defense lawyer in Cincinnati, you might as well use a Cincinnati legal directory that helps you with your search.

Make Sure They Are Responsive

After you first initiate contact with a potential lawyer, note how long it takes them to respond. Any time you spend waiting around for your lawyer to respond to your questions is time wasted time that you could spend better elsewhere.

The Hamilton County Courts recommend always make sure that all of your doubts are being taking care of by an experienced local lawyer. Depending on the charges you are facing, you might need to talk to your lawyer frequently. You want a lawyer that you can trust to answer your questions and tell you what you need to know when you need to know it.

You should always sit down for a free consultation with any lawyer that you are thinking about hiring. This consultation is your opportunity to ask them about their responsiveness and ensure that they will give your case due attention.

Check Out Their Local Experience

If the criminal case against you concerns a matter that occurred in Cincinnati, Ohio, or Cincinnati is the city that prosecutors charged you in, having a lawyer who has worked in the city can be hugely beneficial. According to Joe Suhre, a criminal defense attorney in Cincinnati, and founder of Suhre & Associates, LLC,  local experience is key, “If you search for a potential lawyer’s name, along with ‘Cincinnati, Ohio,’ you can find information about any cases that they have handled in the city”. Of course, you should also ask them about their history when you first sit down with them.

You can easily search online to find lawyers based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Numerous websites allow you to search for lawyers and see reviews and testimonials from past clients. These reviews can tell you a lot about what you expect. You can also piece together much of a lawyer’s history from a quick Google search.

Choose a Lawyer That Best Fits Your Needs

An experienced criminal defense lawyer doesn’t just know the law inside out. They also know how to defend a case effectively. Choosing a lawyer who has previously argued cases similar to yours in the past will help to ensure that you get the best defense possible.

If you think money can be an issue, remember that many lawyers offer a free initial consultation. Also, there are pro-bono legal services provided by institutions such as the University of Cincinnati that offer these kinds of services to the greater Cincinnati community through different organizations. The Ohio Justice and Policy Center also offers different legal services like free legal clinics or pro bono legal representation to people in Ohio prisons.

Having the right criminal defense lawyer arguing your case will give you the best chance of a favorable outcome. If prosecutors are charging your case in Cincinnati, Ohio, you can also take advantage of their local connections and knowledge.