Ineffective Representation May Have Costly Consequences
If you need help with a legal issue, you may think you can either handle it yourself or use a free public defender if you’re dealing with criminal charges. While these may seem like good options, they are not – and they can have devastating effects on your life. Learn more about how ineffective representation may have costly consequences, as well as how to find the right lawyer for your situation.
Do you need experienced and effective representation to assist you with a legal issue? Then get in touch with Robin D. Perry. The Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates provide vigorous representation to clients and are a goal-oriented and values-driven firm. We develop creative strategies to win every case, every time and are confident we can help you with your business contract. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation.
Settling a Personal Injury Claim
Let’s say you need representation after you get injured in an accident. This could be a car accident, a slip and fall, a dog bite, or a truck accident, for instance. When you file a claim with an insurance company – which is supposed to pay you out a fair amount – the company will typically offer you the lowest settlement possible. If you’ve never gotten into an accident or you’re desperate for money, you might accept that low settlement. Then, later on, you might have high medical bills and other damages you have to cover. You can’t go back and get a higher settlement. There is nothing you can do. You may be out thousands of dollars for your treatment alone.
On the other hand, if you go to a personal injury lawyer, they will negotiate with the insurance company for you. They will also calculate damages that you may not have realized you could be compensated for, including pain and suffering and a loss of enjoyment of life. If your accident is severe enough, your future wages, as well as bonuses and promotions, could be factored in as well.
You may be thinking: isn’t a personal injury lawyer going to cost me a lot of money? Unlike other lawyers who work for hourly rates, personal injury lawyers work on contingency. This means they won’t charge you a fee unless they can get you a settlement. Once they get your settlement for you, then they take their fee out of that. Before you work with a lawyer, you should ask them about the fees they’ll charge.
Dealing With Criminal Charges
When you get charged with a crime, you have the right to use the public defender, or the free lawyer that the court provides you. This may seem like a good option, but it can have costly consequences as well.
These lawyers are perfectly competent, but they are often overwhelmed with cases. They may be taking on dozens of cases at a time. They won’t have the time and energy to dedicate to your case, which is necessary when it comes to criminal charges. They may push for you to take a plea bargain, even if going to court and fighting the charges is the best option. Unlike a private attorney, they won’t be able to answer your questions or spend ample time with you if you need it.
Though they’re an investment, private criminal defense attorneys are well worth it. A private criminal defense attorney will give you individualized attention and be able to answer your questions and hear your concerns when you need to speak to them. They will also talk to you extensively about whether a plea bargain or going to court is a better option based on the facts surrounding your case.
If you don’t have the right representation for a criminal charge, not only could you end up in jail or prison for years on end – and be hit with tons of fines – but you could also negatively impact your entire future. If you have a criminal record, it’s going to be harder for you to get funding for college, secure an apartment to rent out, and find a job. Your charges could follow you in every area of your life. It’s not worth the risk.
Hiring Effective Representation
Now, you know what you need to do: hire effective representation, no matter what legal issue you are contending with at the moment. To start, ask your family and friends for recommendations. They may know a lawyer who can help you.
Then, take to Google to look at reviews for the lawyer and check out their website as well. You should see if they have experience with issues like yours as well as the case results to back up their experience. Have they won big settlements for their personal injury clients in the past? Have they gotten their criminal defense clients’ sentences reduced, or perhaps even dropped altogether?
Your lawyer should be a fighter – someone who is aggressive enough to negotiate for a good settlement or determined to take your criminal case to court if need be. If they have solid relationships with local judges, that’s even better. These valuable relationships could help your case.
When communicating with your lawyer, they should get back to you within 24-48 hours of you contacting them. They should also be available to you when you need them and be open to hearing all your questions and concerns. If they seem too busy to meet with you, then it will likely not be a good fit.
Remember to always ask about fees at the first meeting. If affordability is an issue, some lawyers will offer payment plans. You can always ask if that’s an option. You don’t want there to be any surprises when it comes time for your lawyer to charge you. They should be open about it and you need to fully understand the extent of their fees.
Contact Robin D. Perry & Associates
If you need help with a legal issue, then it’s time to get in touch with the Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates today. No matter what, we will fight on your behalf during your time of need. Call us at 562-216-2944 or contact us on our website to schedule your consult today.
Attorney Robin D. Perry has been part of the Long Beach Community for over 25 years handling business litigation, employment litigation and advising, criminal defense, personal injury and code enforcement defense for businesses.
