By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 8, 2022
How do you find the best Michigan criminal lawyer for your case among so many to choose from? What qualities do you look for? Where do you even look? How do you narrow your search to find only the best?
If you’re facing charges, you want to find the best criminal lawyer for your case. Most people don’t know where to look. The internet can often be a place of confusion. Every attorney on the internet says, “we are the best” or “highest rated” criminal attorneys. One secret is that the State Bar of Michigan doesn’t rank attorneys like college football teams. If the State Bar of Michigan had a ranking system, I would trust it. But, until they do, you have to be wary of attorney advertisements. In another article, I talked about the so-called “lawyer rating sites” and how they are not completely reliable.
Beware of the “lawyer awards” and badges scam
Many attorneys put false, paid-for, review badges on their website. Review other attorney websites. They all have them, because they buy them. It’s dishonest, and our office does not operate that way. Don’t take our word for it. The Federal Trade Commission published a consumer advisory titled, “Look beyond the award when you hire a lawyer.”
The FTC states:
If you suddenly need to hire a lawyer, you might start searching online. When you do, you’re likely to see lawyers and law firms with fancy-looking seals and badges on their websites claiming they’re among the best in their field. Before you move forward, know that some of these seals or badges might be “vanity” or “ego” awards that lawyers can buy.
It can be tricky to tell whether an award is earned through merit or is simply a marketing ploy, but a few questions can help. How long has this award been in existence? What requirements does someone have to meet to earn the award? How many awards are given out each year? Is a marketing company awarding it? Try searching online for the name of whoever’s giving the award plus words like “vanity,” “ego,” “marketing,” and “scam” to find out.
https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2021/12/look-beyond-award-when-you-hire-lawyer
The FTC warns that these seals or badges are vanity or awards that lawyers buy. The consumer protection agency is right to warn people looking to hire lawyer about meaningless accolades that proclaim lawyers to be the “leading this” or “most distinguished” that. Also, the FTC provides more information for people looking for a lawyer: ftc.gov/hiring-lawyer.
For example, “Best Lawyers” produces a yearly magazine claiming to rank attorneys. If an attorney is featured as a “best lawyer,” they get a page in the magazine, a web badge, and a plaque for their office. What are the criteria to be ranked as a “best lawyer?” A valid credit card. Honest attorneys know these rankings are not awarded for quality representation or based on peer voting. There are dozens of these paid for review companies that issue badges to put on lawyer sites.
The reason we are passionate about this topic is that it is dishonest and insulting to you, the person looking for an attorney. Think about this, if the lawyer isn’t truthful about their credentials, how do you know how qualified they are to handle your case? Is the attorney putting on a show just to get your money? It isn’t right.
So, how can you find a qualified criminal attorney? Through, the results the attorneys have achieved for their clients. For example, our track record speaks volumes about our skills and experience as criminal defense attorneys. We would rather earn our reputation than pay for it.
As criminal defense attorneys, our goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. We have a long history of success in helping our clients navigate the often complex and confusing legal system, and in securing positive results for them, even in challenging cases.
With countless lawyers to choose from, how do you find the right criminal lawyer for you? How do you know if you can trust the attorney with your case, and ultimately, your life? For additional information, please read the following articles:
Many people start their search for an attorney by asking friends or relatives. Most, though, start their search on the internet. No matter which way you find a few attorneys that interest you, take the time to talk to each one.
We know how difficult it is to find an excellent attorney that you can really trust. With that in mind, Czarnecki & Taylor has created a set of 10 tips to help you find a great Michigan criminal lawyer.
10 tips for finding the best criminal defense lawyer
- Passion for what they do. Criminal law is the most difficult area of the law. Civil attorneys deal in money and contracts. No one loses their liberty or time away from their family in a civil case. Also, in civil cases, the litigants are on equal footing. In a criminal case, you and your attorney are against the power of the state and police. So, your lawyer better be passionate about criminal law. Does your potential lawyer specialize in criminal defense? Does this lawyer dedicate his or her career to the field of criminal law? Does the attorney sound like they truly care about your case? One way to find about an attorney’s passion is to ask about case results. Do they have results that show they are willing to put up a fight for their client? Do they stay educated on new criminal topics? Do they continue their legal education by attending seminars or self-study?
- Quality experience. Attorney websites always say that they are “experienced.” What does that mean? Experience is great. But, the type and quality of experience are what matters. Is the attorney “experienced” in criminal law? Does the lawyer have battle-tested experience from hard-fought trials? Does the attorney have extensive experience with your type of criminal charge? Is the lawyer experienced so that they tend to get great results for the client? Would you want an experienced attorney who regularly gets average to worse outcomes for their clients? You wouldn’t. Think about a boxer. What if the fighter is experienced in getting knocked out all the time? Yes, the boxer is experienced, but it doesn’t look like that experience helps him win. Would you bet on this “experienced” boxer? You wouldn’t. So don’t bet on a criminal defense attorney that is “experienced” like that boxer. While experience can be a good thing, you need to ask about the quality of the attorney’s experience, or you might just get knocked out with your attorney. Review the results obtained by the attorney. For example, at Czarnecki & Taylor, we list our case results. Those results help you see the quality and depth of our experience.
- Case Results. One of the most critical factors to look at or ask about is an attorney’s criminal case results. As explained above, case results and experience go together. No attorney can win every single case despite endless television commercials telling you otherwise. It is statistically impossible. But, by looking at an attorney’s case results, you can see if the attorney wins regularly and gets quality results for their clients more often than not. The attorney’s case results can show if they can take on a major case and win. The military wants a battle-hardened general to lead the troops because they can put the troops in a position to win. The experienced attorney knows what to expect and can adapt to the changing conditions on the battlefield. Finding an experienced attorney with quality results increases the probability of getting a great result on your case. As you know, this is a battle for your freedom, employment, criminal record, etc. Visit our case results here.
- Confidence. When you talk with your potential lawyer, is he or she confident? An attorney’s confidence can put you at ease because you can feel that the attorney knows how to handle your case best. While no attorney can guarantee an outcome, a confident attorney knows they can put you in the best position to get you the best results. Also, a confident attorney will be calm under pressure in the courtroom. This is especially critical during the stress of a trial. The attorney’s confidence will be evident to the jury, and that makes your defense persuasive.
- Trust your instincts. No one can tell you how you feel. You are the best judge as to what is best for you. Does your attorney make you feel that they take the time to listen to you? Does your attorney take the time to explain the situation to your satisfaction? After hearing your attorney’s explanations regarding case options and outcomes, do you feel confident when you have to choose how to proceed in your case? Never let your attorney rush you into a decision.
- Quality explanations. Does your attorney explain things in a way that you understand? Can your attorney convey the strategy to you in a way that makes your options seem clear? Does your attorney appear frustrated to have to explain things to you? Is the attorney willing to put an explanation in writing if you ask? A lawyer’s ability to communicate with you is a good sign that they can speak on your behalf in a courtroom to a judge, prosecutor, or jury. It would be best if you also asked to look at the attorney’s writing samples. You can learn a lot from what happened in situations similar to yours. You must find a criminal lawyer that will explain the trial, plea bargains, and sentencing scenarios to you. Every decision you make on your case will have a permanent impact on your life. So you must have an attorney that will help you make a well-informed and educated decision.
- Availability. Is your attorney available to you? This means does your attorney respond to your questions in a timely matter. If your attorney is good at what they do, they cannot always get back to you immediately. They are busy. But, they should get back to you promptly. Is the attorney willing to schedule appointments to talk to you in person? Can you use alternative forms of communication, such as text messages, to ask short questions? Does the attorney provide you with an opportunity to email questions?
- Reputation. The best Michigan criminal lawyer for you will have an excellent reputation. Just like any corporation, business, restaurant, even the most astounding criminal defense attorneys will have a few dissatisfied clients. I’m sure you know in your field of work that no matter what you do at times, someone is just going to be unhappy. So, how do you consider this information? You want to look at the overall impression of the attorney. You want a lawyer who has an excellent reputation that far outweighs the few unhappy people. Prosecutors, judges, courts, court officers, court clerks, staff can be an excellent source of an opinion on an attorney’s professionalism. For example, do they seem to know the attorney? Does the judge say, ” good to see you, Mr. Smith?” Are the court clerks cordial and polite with the attorney as if talking with a friend? All of these interactions will show you how the attorney is respected.
- Willingness to fight. Does your attorney have in them the desire to fight your case? The sad truth is most criminal defense attorneys are either unwilling or afraid to fight a criminal case at trial. Some lawyers will avoid a trial at all costs, and you can sense this when they try to hastily pressure you into a plea even if it is not in your best interest. When I graduated from law school, I worked for a criminal defense firm in downtown Detroit. This attorney had been around for 40 years. He’d been to the US Supreme Court and fought many high-profile trials. One of the key things that I learned from him was this, “When you are in a fight, make sure you hit them so hard they don’t back up. Hit them so hard they either can’t or don’t want to fight anymore.” That motto has always stayed with me in my career as a criminal defense attorney. During my nearly two decades as a trial attorney, I upset some prosecutors and police officers. But, I have a job to do for my client. They expect me to fight for them. When I go to trial or argue motions, I want to win for the client. If a criminal defense attorney hasn’t made a few people upset throughout their career, then they are doing something wrong. This is an adversarial process, and sometimes, you have to fight. One thing I take pride in is that the prosecutors, and even police officers, shake my hand and say “thank you for being professional. I know you have a job to do for your client.” Some of those same prosecutors and police officers ask me to represent someone they know. That is one of the best compliments an attorney could receive.
- Friendship. I know this seems like a strange statement. But, if your attorney treats you in a way that makes you feel like you are their friend then that attorney treats you as a person and not just a case file. You feel that your attorney treats you with respect despite any charge that you are facing.
Other articles that can help you find the best Michigan criminal defense attorney
This list will help you find the best Michigan criminal lawyer that you can trust with your life. Facing criminal charges isn’t easy. You need a criminal defense attorney with dedication and experience to get you the best results for your case. You shouldn’t trust just anyone when you are facing a criminal charge. You must make sure you don’t have an attorney who is a criminal defense attorney in name only. You want the real thing. You want a dedicated professional. You must take your time to interview and talk with several attorneys to find the best fit for you. You may have to speak to a few, but you will know when you find the right attorney.
Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a serious felony, our experienced attorneys will work tirelessly to advocate and help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case. One thing that sets Czarnecki & Taylor apart from other firms is our ability to handle complex cases that require specialized knowledge and experience. Our firm’s impressive track record for success and aggressive Michigan criminal defense is unparalleled for achieving exceptional results. Czarnecki & Taylor has a well-earned reputation among judges, courts, city attorneys, prosecutors, police, and other defense attorneys for defending our clients.
Our team is committed to providing the highest quality criminal defense services to our clients. Our dedication to excellence is evident in our results. We have a proven track record of success when it comes to representing clients facing all types of criminal charges, from misdemeanors all the way up to serious felonies. No matter how complex or challenging your situation may be, you can trust that we will do everything we can to get you the results you need.
Do you have a legal issue? We’ve got an answer. Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC’s experienced attorneys will handle your case with care and help you through every step of the process. For a free consultation, contact us today at (586) 718-2345 or online for a prompt response. We are available 24/7 and have weekend and evening appointments.