While it is not advisable to choose a lawyer simply because he or she is the cheapest attorney, most people do need to consider cost when hiring a lawyer. It is important to find an affordable DC Criminal attorney with a reliable record when defending against D.C. criminal charges.
Finding an attorney to fit into your budget can be difficult because successful attorneys often charge more than attorneys with a less-reliable record. Since successful attorneys have a proven record of success, they are generally in higher demand and thus able to charge more for their services.
A cheap attorney, on the other hand, often lacks the experience and resources to offer a quality defense. As you begin your search for an affordable lawyer in D.C., outline what you want from an attorney and create a flexible budget.
An affordable attorney will often offer a free consultation, either by phone or in person. When you speak with the attorney, he or she will discuss your case and will let you know the attorney fees that apply. Even if the fees noted are a little higher than your planned budget, ask the attorney questions about the things that are important to you.
You may want to ask about how often communication between the attorney and the client occurs, or you may want to know if you will have one attorney from beginning to end. If you have a good first impression and you get the answers you are looking for, you may need to consider increasing your budget to get the right defense for you. A flexible budget will allow you to find an affordable criminal lawyer with whom you are comfortable and in whom you can trust to aggressively defend your rights.
Finding an affordable DC Criminal Lawyer is about more than price. It is about finding a lawyer who offers the services you need and with whom you can build a rapport. While the price may be more than you originally expect, can you really afford to sacrifice quality defense?