If you have been charged with a criminal or DWI offense, ideally you want the best lawyer to defend you. Finances may be an issue, so hiring a lawyer may not be possible, but in our opinion, each and every person, regardless of financial status has the right to good legal representation. Our firm relies primarily on being retained on criminal and DWI cases, but we do take on court appointed cases as well because that aligns with our goals as attorneys – treat all of our clients the same and strive to get them the best outcomes on their cases.
Our team of lawyers has worked in Tarrant County as prosecutors and now as defense attorneys and there is some great court appointed lawyers (some of the best lawyers you can get in Texas), but, like any profession, there are also court appointed lawyers who are less experienced, are overworked because they rely solely on the appointment wheel, may not be the best fit for you, and may not fit into the category of “best lawyers in Fort Worth.” Whether it actually matters or not, there is also the psychology of paying for the person that is protecting your freedom.
Public defenders, or court-appointed lawyers, are qualified attorneys – they have to be qualified by the Judges to serve on the wheel and, here is a little secret, a vast majority of criminal lawyers in Tarrant County also take on court appointments in some capacity. But the biggest problem with court appointed lawyers is lack of choice. It’s a bit of a lottery because you do not get to choose your lawyer, or your team of lawyers. And you cannot fire them if you don’t like them. Your only option is to go hire a lawyer to replace.
Being charged with any offense is a stressful, life-changing occurrence. Here are some three things to think about when you are looking to hire a lawyer or deciding to keep or seek a court appointed lawyer.
Trust: You have to Trust your Lawyer (Do your homework)
Trust is paramount to any successful attorney-client relationship. If you don’t trust your lawyer, than there is always going to be struggles figuring out what is going to happen on your case.
That trust comes easier when you do the due diligence in hiring a lawyer because that’s the lawyer YOU chose. Trust comes harder when you get assigned someone at random. If you are in a situation where you have to use a court appointed lawyer, do your homework – check their background and reviews and often times, it will help build that relationship. If, for example, you were looking to hire our firm but couldn’t afford us, there is the possibility one of our lawyers could end up on your case – so don’t be too quick to dismiss your court appointed lawyer.
On the other end, if you do not feel like your lawyer is working for you or doing the best job and do not feel you can trust them, then try and put together money to hire a lawyer (borrow money, etc.) because this is your life and anything you can do NOW to mitigate the consequences of a criminal or DWI charge can help save you thousands of dollars of lost income in the future.
Your Rights & Discovery under 39.14
Remember, that ultimately what happens on a case is YOUR decision. You know what happened and you have an absolute right to review all the evidence the State has against you and the absolute right to a jury trial. If you find yourself in a position where you cannot hire a lawyer and you are stuck with a lawyer you don’t love, remember that you have the final say in anything that happens. You do not have to take a plea, for example.
Talk or Meet with Your Lawyer – Not All News is Good
If you have questions about your case, meet with your lawyer or talk to them on the phone. Ask questions and make sure you feel comfortable. Unfortunately, your lawyer is not always going to have good news. Their job is to not only help you mitigate your charge, but also make sure they communicate bad news and real potential consequences of your charge. Lawyers have to do that. The issue is that sometimes the first time you meet a court appointed lawyer is in jail or at court, which can create challenges when maybe the first thing you hear is a bad offer from the prosecutor. My advice – be patient and let them talk it all out. We have often times gotten terrible offers at the start and were able, over time, to get great outcomes. Try and give your lawyer an opportunity to come up with a strategy to fight your charge.
Make the Most of Your Time with a Defense Attorney
Being charged with a criminal offense affects your present and future, the outcome of your case is of the utmost importance. The defense you are given in court could mean the difference between a bright future or one dimmed by the punishments brought by a guilty verdict. There can be big differences in outcomes on some cases (probation versus prison, for example).
We are proud of our reputation, and working hard for you to get you the best possible outcome ensures our good standings for years to come. If you have been charged with a crime, we are waiting to defend you.
Don’t let someone who may not have the expertise with your charges, the time to completely research your case, or who is not invested in getting you the best results possible be in charge of your future. Contact Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC at 817-334-7900 or fill out the following online contact form and let our expertise work for you.