There are nearly 21,000 criminal law firms in the United States today, employing more than 61,100 attorneys. It is vital to have a plan before starting your search for a criminal defense lawyer in Miami. Otherwise, you risk working with a lawyer who does not have the expertise needed to win your case.

You could face jail time, pay hefty fines, or suffer other legal consequences if you do not have an experienced attorney in Miami representing you.

Are you unsure which lawyer to hire?

Here are five questions you should ask during your search.

You can focus on hiring a lawyer who can help you win your case or have your charges reduced if you follow these tips.

How long have you been in legal practice?

First, you should check out the Florida Bar website, as well as the Martindale-Hubbell law firm directory and Super Lawyers Directory

Look more into the professional experiences of each lawyer on your list. Google your potential lawyers to see what kind of cases they handle, their results and what other clients or colleagues have to say about them.

Finding a lawyer who has worked on cases similar to yours for some years will help you feel more confident in their ability to handle your case. On the other hand, a lawyer who is new to the scene is more likely to make mistakes that end up costing a lot of money. They may be unable to help you if they do not have prior experience working on criminal defense cases similar to yours.

Do not fall into the trap of choosing an attorney with years of generalized experience. Instead, you should ask them how long they have specialized. Find someone who has years of experience handling criminal defense cases similar to yours. Many lawyers who have decades of general experience don’t try cases.

How often do your cases go to trial?

Ask each lawyer about the percentage of their cases that end up in court for either a trial or substantive evidentiary hearing.

Find a lawyer who has years of courtroom experience under their belt. Knowing that your lawyer is competent enough to handle themselves in a courtroom can give you a sense of relief and peace of mind.

Many lawyers are nothing more than plea machines — advising clients to take plea deals without doing any substantive work to see if they can build a proper defense.

If your lawyer is nervous about presenting your case in front of a judge and jury, they may be quick to take a plea bargain on your behalf instead. These attorneys will not necessarily have your best interests in mind.

What’s your track record?

Only 2% of all federal criminal cases end up in a trial. About 8% of cases are dismissed, while 90% involve a guilty plea. And less than 1% of those who took their cases to trial were successful.

Ask each potential lawyer about their track record with cases similar to yours. How many did they win compared to how many they lost? Were they successful in having their client’s sentence reduced or dropped altogether?

Find a top Miami federal lawyer with a strong track record. You will feel more confident in their ability to handle your case.

How often will we communicate?

Inquire with your lawyer about how often you will get updates regarding the status of your case. Or, you run the risk of not having any information until the day of your trial.

What kind of result do you anticipate?

Your attorney cannot predict the outcome of your criminal defense case. Therefore, they should not offer you any guarantees.

Instead, they should help you identify the possible outcomes. They should also give you an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of each legal strategy.

Choose a defense lawyer who will be forthright and truthful about your circumstances.

Final Notes

Do not be in a hurry to retain legal representation for your criminal case so that you hired someone unfit. Instead, follow these tips to find the top Miami criminal defense attorney who can meet your needs and goals.