If you’re currently in the process of trying to find a lawyer, you are probably scratching your head about how to find a lawyer that is right for your situation. You’ll probably want to know how much experience the prospective attorney has in handling legal situations like yours. Finding the right NJ defense lawyer, presents a unique set of circumstances. Your freedom and life may be hanging in the balance, and you want to be sure that your hiring decision is an informed one.
Often times, you will ask friends for their experiences on hiring a lawyer. They may or may not be able to refer you to someone with whom they had a positive experience. Typically, it is unlikely that your friend had a legal matter very similar to yours. Another option is to peruse the Yellow Book. This may mean looking through hundreds of lawyers. Further, what can truly be gleaned from a Yellow Book listing? How can you ascertain whether or not this lawyer is right for your particular set of circumstances?
In order to help New Jersey residents get a better understanding of who’s who in the New Jersey attorney ranks, The New Jersey Supreme Court has created a Board on Attorney Certification. The Board has a process for certifying lawyers in certain practice areas that meet a proscribed set of qualifications. The intention of the certification system is help people make informed decisions when hiring a lawyer, reduce the impact of misleading attorney advertisements, and increase the overall quality of representation within the state.
There are 4 general practice areas for which the Board offers certification. These include, but are not limit to, civil practice, matrimonial practice, and criminal practice. The criminal trial lawyer certification provides consumers with a basis from which to make a decision about hiring the right NJ criminal defense attorney. These criminal attorneys are recognized for having a certain competence in the handling of criminal legal matters. Criminal Trial Lawyer certification means that the attorney has demonstrated the required amount of experience, learning, information, and prowess in criminal defense; has passed the required testing; and has been endorsed by colleagues as skillful and reputable in criminal law.
When looking for a lawyer, don’t hesitate to ask whether or not they have Board certification. While this shouldn’t be the only factor playing into your decision, it is a good guideline for helping you find criminal lawyers that are experienced in handling criminal cases in New Jersey. You can also review the list of certified criminal defense lawyers at the New Jersey Board of Attorney Certification’s website. There, you will find more information about the certification process, as well as, a complete list of all certified attorneys in the various practice areas.
Every decision you make today could affect your life for years down the road. Don’t speak a word to the police, and choose your New Jersey criminal defense lawyer carefully. If you require assistance with a New Jersey criminal defense legal matter, contact us through our New Jersey criminal lawyer profile.