How Can I Find And Hire The Right Lawyer?

1. Is It Important To Hire a Lawyer Who Specializes In Criminal Law?
2. When Do I Need A Lawyer?
3. Punishment Ranges and General Penalties
4. How Do I Find A Lawyer?
5. How Will I Know if a Lawyer Is Right For Me?
6. What should I consider when hiring a lawyer?
7. Why Should You Have A Written Fee Agreement?
8. What Should Be In The Fee Agreement?
9. What Do I Need To Do To Have A Successful Lawyer-Client Partnership?
10. When Should I See A Lawyer?
11. I have not been arrested, but I have been accused of a crime. What should I do?
12. Where Should I Start?

1.  Is It Important To Hire a Lawyer Who Specializes In Criminal Law?

The legal profession covers a vast expanse of information and procedures which differ in various areas.  No one person can be familiar with all of those areas.  If you are charged with a criminal offense, you don’t want an attorney who is trying to get up-to-speed in criminal law.  Not only will it probably cost more for him to spend the research time, but his representation will very likely be inferior to an attorney who practices in this area every day.  It is like asking a house painter to paint your portrait.  He has the paint.  He can get the tools, but the result probably won’t justify the fee.  You are likely to receive far superior results from a lawyer who specializes in criminal law and is Board Certified in that area.  When your life…your freedom…and your reputation are in jeopardy, you need the best lawyer you can find!

A Board Certified attorney is an attorney who has demonstrated special competence in a particular area of legal practice in which the Texas Board of Legal Specialization has certified their competence. 

A lawyer who is Board Certified in Criminal Law must have experience in the trial of serious criminal matters and the preparation of such cases for trial. They must have extensive knowledge of state and federal constitutional law, evidence, procedure, and penal laws involved in the trial of criminal cases.

A few of the requirements for an attorney to receive Board Certification in Criminal Law are:

• Handling a wide variety of criminal matters to demonstrate experience and involvement.
• Attending criminal law continuing legal education seminars regularly to keep their legal training up to date.
• Being evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges.
• Passing a day-long written examination.

Certification is for a period of 5 years. To remain certified after that time, every 5 years the attorney must apply for re-certification and meet the requirements for continued experience, peer review, and continuing legal education.

Anthony Cantrell

Board Certified Criminal Attorney since 1994

111 Soledad Street, Suite 1200

San Antonio, Texas 78205

Telephone: 210-490-1207

Fax: 210-299-1482

2.  When Do I Need A Lawyer? 

Legal advice will solve some problems and prevent others.  If you are accused of committing a crime, a Felony, or Class A or B misdemeanors, you need legal advice.  The punishment range for some of these crimes is as follows:  

3.  Punishment Ranges and General Penalties 

A.         Offense – Felonies

B. Offense – Misdemeanor

Failing to call a lawyer immediately can often increase your problems.  If are arrested, witnesses should be interviewed and evidence gathered as soon as possible.  Memories fade and evidence disappears as you get further from an event.  You should contact a lawyer right away.  Sound legal advice often will save you time, trouble and money by preventing problems before they start.  See Texas Penal Code. 

4.  How Do I Find A Lawyer? 

Recommendations from friends and acquaintances is a good way.  Maybe you know a lawyer.  If he can’t handle your problem, he will likely know of a lawyer who has experience with your kind of problem. 

Ask your friends, co-workers and employers if they know any lawyers.  Business people or professionals such as doctors, social workers, bankers, teachers and ministers may know a lawyer. 

If you are accused of committing a crime and cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for free legal help.  A judge may appoint a private attorney to represent you without charge if you qualify for such assistance. 

5.   How Will I Know if a Lawyer Is Right For Me? 

You should meet briefly with the lawyer and his/her staff if possible instead of discussing your problem on the telephone.   You should ask how much experience the lawyer has had with problems like yours and how recently he or she handled a similar case. 

Hiring a lawyer who primarily practices law in the same court or jurisdiction where your case is located and has an office in the area is a good rule of thumb.   It cuts down on travel expenses and the attorney is familiar with the judges where he practices most often.

6.  What should I consider when hiring a lawyer? 

When meeting with the lawyer, bring the names, addresses and telephone numbers of everyone connected with your case.  You also should bring all papers involved in your case, such as all documents you received from any governmental source.  Ask to hear about cases like yours that the lawyer has handled.  You should know that most lawsuits are not “sure things.”  Be careful of an attorney who guarantees results.  He should, however, be able to tell you the strengths and weaknesses of your case.  Consider the following questions: 

• Will you be comfortable working closely with the lawyer?
• Do you believe the lawyer has the experience and skill to handle your case?
• Do you understand the lawyer’s explanation of your case?
• Does the fee seem reasonable?
• Do you have confidence that he will work hard to serve your interests?

7.  Why Should You Have A Written Fee Agreement? 

No matter what the amount, no one likes to pay legal fees.  Therefore, it is important for you and your lawyer to agree, in writing, about what you will pay the lawyer and what services the lawyer will perform.  This way, both of you will know what to expect from one another as you work together on your case.  

8.  What Should Be In The Fee Agreement? 

Your written fee agreement should set out the services the lawyer will perform for you, and the type and amount of fees you will be expected to pay.  The agreement should also say how costs - the other expenses of your case - will be handled and explain the lawyer’s billing practices.  The agreement should also say if the lawyer is going to add interest or other charges to unpaid amounts. 

A fee agreement may also include your obligations as a client.  For instance, you may need to agree to be truthful, to cooperate, to bide by the agreement and to pay your bills on time.  You make a fee agreement in the same way that you would make an agreement with a contractor or other businessperson for their services.  Tell the lawyer what services you will want and ask questions to find out what the charges will be.  You may want to ask a friend or relative to come with you if you are not sure what to ask. 

Some suggested questions are: 

• How will the lawyer bill for his or her time? 
• Who else will be working on the case - associate lawyer, legal assistant, paralegal?  How will that time be billed?
• What can be done to reduce fees and costs?
• What is the lawyer’s estimate of the total charges?
• A written Fee Agreement protects your interests as well as the lawyer’s.  Don’t hire one without it!

9.   What Do I Need To Do To Have A Successful Lawyer-Client Partnership? 

• Be sure that you and your lawyer have the same goals.
• Be sure you understand and are comfortable with the lawyer’s working style.
• Be especially certain that you have a clear idea of the expected timing of your case - when you can expect significant developments.
• Be sure that you provide the lawyer with the information and documents necessary to understand your case.
• Be sure you understand and agree with the lawyer’s billing practices.
• Be sure that if you have questions or concerns about your legal matter, you ask the lawyer and listen to his/her answers.

10.  When Should I See A Lawyer? 

If you are arrested for a crime, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible.  He or she has a better sense of what you should and should not say to law enforcement officers to avoid being misinterpreted or misunderstood.  The lawyer also can advise you or your family or friends on the bail process. 

The Law Offices of Anthony Cantrell provide a Bail Bond Service to our clients.  This is extremely helpful because a bail bondsman has no way to negotiate the amount of bail set at your hearing.  As your attorney, we can petition the court to set a lower bail so that you get more than just bail, you get a built in negotiator on your behalf for lower bail.  We are available 24 hours a day – seven days a week if you need these services.

11.  I have not been arrested, but I have been accused of a crime.   What should I do?

Use caution. Unless you are certain that the accusation is only a minor one and will not result in criminal charges, it is best to consult with an attorney. This is especially true if a law enforcement official is asking you to give a statement or cooperate in an investigation. You should consult with an attorney before making ANY statements. What you say, no matter how well-intentioned, can be misinterpreted and may be used as evidence against later. Even if you are promised leniency in exchange for your cooperation, you can never retract what you have already said. Therefore, it is best to consult with an attorney before making any to make sure that your rights are protected.

12.  Where Should I Start?

The Law Offices of Anthony B. Cantrell specializes in providing a vigorous and skillful defense for people accused of criminal offenses.  Anthony Cantrell has been a Board Certified Criminal Defense Lawyer since 1994.   He has been in private practice since 1989.

In addition to our legal practice, we provide Bail Bond service for our clients.  The Law Offices of Anthony B. Cantrell is able to work towards lowering unreasonable bond.  Why give your money to a bondsman when you can also have the services of an attorney?

Please visit our Practice Areas page for an overview of what we do.

Next, visit Attorneys to get to know us personally.

Above all, be sure to visit Contact Us and tell us how we can help you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency consultation or bonding at 210-490-1207.

We can begin resolving your legal concerns today!