An individual arrested on a California domestic violence charge will likely face one of the most frightening and overwhelming experiences of his or her life, especially if that individual is a homosexual and must also deal with the possibility of encountering homophobic officers, judges, jurors and/or lawyers. Hiring the right attorney can help ease some of that anxiety as the attorney can guide the accused through the criminal court process with experience and compassion. That being said, not all lawyers are created equal and it can be a daunting task to find the best representation. Here are some tips on how to make that decision easier during an obviously difficult time.

Try to get referrals from friends, family or associates. People who have experience dealing with a particular attorney or firm are the best resources. Local bar associations are also helpful as they can provide a list of local attorneys who specialize in criminal defense law. In addition, Internet searches are useful tools. Individuals can look at various attorney and firm websites to gain valuable insight as to what types of lawyers are out there. Random phone book or television advertisements should be avoided, as useful information cannot be reliably assessed from these sources.

Once the accused has a potential list of attorneys, he or she should contact the attorneys to set up consultations. Consultations can be either face-to-face at the attorney’s office or over the phone. A feeling of trust is one of the most important things that the accused should look for when speaking with an attorney. Sharing the details of an intimate partner abuse incident can be an emotional experience, which is why establishing trust is so important. Honesty on the part of the client is crucial and, without it, that client’s defense is in severe jeopardy. The only way that a criminal defense lawyer can effectively represent his or her client is if the client discloses all facts and allows the attorney to decipher their importance and relevance.

The accused should have a list of questions to ask the lawyer and should also be prepared to answer a series of questions from the lawyer. The accused may want to ask questions about the attorney’s education and training, about his or her success rate with respect to similar domestic violence charges, and about how he or she keeps current with the law and cutting-edge trial strategies. It is crucial to hire a lawyer who has experience with California domestic abuse cases and laws. The attorneys from the Kavinoky Law Firm all receive extensive training and are kept up-to-date on current criminal defense issues. They have successfully defended countless intimate partner violence charges with integrity and skill.

A good lawyer wants to help a potential client understand the criminal process. He or she should make the individual feel that there is no such thing as a “stupid” question and should respond to all questions by giving meaningful answers. The tone and the extent in which the attorney answers the questions can be very telling about his or her knowledge on the subject. The accused should note whether the attorney asks any questions, because if truly interested in the potential client’s case, the attorney will ask specific questions about the charged incident, about the events that took place leading up to that incident and about the history of the partners involved. If the attorney isn’t asking questions about the case, chances are that he or she is not serious about providing representation.

The bottom line is that an attorney should be honest, trustworthy, understanding and knowledgeable. The attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm exemplify those traits and take pride in exceeding client expectations. When things are at their worst, the attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm are at their best! Contact them today for a free consultation.