<p>A young person I know is possibly in need of a criminal defense attorney. How does one go about finding a good attorney in an unfamiliar city?</p>
<p>PMs would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Contact the local bar association.</p>
<p>Contact a prosecutor in a neighboring city/area and ask who the prosecutor would recommend.</p>
<p>Network with a local attorney in your town. Explain the situation to them and they can usually make suggestions. Call an attorney you trust and would hire yourself- doesn’t have to be a criminal defense one.</p>
<p>If someone is possibly in need of criminal defense they probably are definitely in need. Don’t hesitate. Absolutely check with an attorney in your area even if they aren’t in that field they will know who the right person is.</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. We live in a rural suburb of a large city and we’ve never had a need for an attorney since we’ve lived here. I wouldn’t even know who to call in this area.</p>
<p>No charges have been brought against the young person I know, but I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Should it happen, charges would be made in a large city in a different state in the northeast.</p>
<p>The event in question happened almost three months ago. The police did not feel the young person I know was involved in any way, but the parents of the other young person at the center of the event have been pushing the issue with the police. The young person I know had to make another statement yesterday, and the police have been back to the site of the event twice recently to investigate more. The line of questioning yesterday centered around the young person I know being the perpetrator of the event.</p>
<p>The charges would be very, very serious. Life altering, in fact.</p>
<p>Should we consult with a criminal defense attorney now even though no charges have been brought? Can we trust the bar association of the city in question to recommend an excellent attorney?</p>
<p>I would start calling everyone I know who is well connected in the city. They will know someone who will know. You can also do a Google search as the top criminal defense attornies would get a lot of press. </p>
<p>Given how serious you make it sound and that the police seem to be actively investigating this young person, I would absolutely talk to lawyers now and advise the young person to stop talking to the police.</p>
<p>I Googled ‘Chicago defense attorney’ and in about 40 seconds could tell you I’d be talking to a guy called Ed Genson.</p>
<p>If the young person in question is a college student, you can call the Dean of Students at his/her college and ask for some suggestions.</p>
<p>Another, possibly weird idea, is to read the newspaper in the city where the incident happened (you can get it on-line). Read stories about criminal trials. See who wins. Call those lawyers. </p>
<p>The Bar Association will probably give you a list of names that could have been compiled a number of ways - including just those who asked to be referred. They could be great, they could be awful (although not under any disciplinary action by the Bar). In this case it’s important to talk with the lawyers to get a sense of whether they are good or bad (I know it’s hard to judge, go with your gut).</p>
<p>It’s MUCH better to get a referral through an attorney you know, or a friend.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Wow, this thread has been helpful to me. I always beleive hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and at orientation may scout around. I wouldnt want to have to look for an attorney long distance in the middle of the night.</p>
<p>My belief – and I am not an attorney – if you think you may need a criminal attorney, you absolutely need to talk to one.</p>
<p>I googled “criminal defense lawyer” for the city in question and came up with a list of “Super Lawyers.” Does anyone know anything about this ranking system? Unfortunately, we have no connections in this city, so we don’t know anyone to call for a recommendation. </p>
<p>Without divulging too much information, I will say the city is either New York City or Boston. The young person is not a college student.</p>
<p>First off, tell him to stop talking to the police without an attorney present. Nothing, not one word more. Even if you use a legal aid lawyer or someone from from the phone book, that is better than talking without one, EVER… get representation before one more word is spoken… GET an attorney now… if you need to switch to a bette one then do it… Then take the advice above and hire either through a referral or through an internet search of successful attorneys in your type of law. Magazines often publish list of 100 top lawyers, or Most successful… that can be another source, search for those in the state of the incident. Another source could be a law school near or in the city. They may have someone on staff or can make a recommendation, or just give some clear direction. good luck and remember, the right to remain silent exists for a reason, and it isnt to help the police…</p>
<p>If the young person is being questioned he or she should/must refuse to talk without an attorney present. The first words that must be said is, “I want an attorney.” There are public defenders. Generally, public defenders are young and inexperienced…but at least you’ve got someone there protecting you.</p>
<p>The Bar Association is an excellent place to begin, as are referrals within referrals. (Most attorneys “know” someone good in another field. BUT start with a good attorney. There are a lot of inadequate attorneys out there.</p>
<p>Loa Angeles Magazine has an issue with “super Lawyers” as well. Many are named in conjunction with ads…so there is a incentive to buy an ad and then get named in their field. My husband and his partners, SANS ads have been named every year, but this is not always the case. </p>
<p>But that sick feeling is telling you to spring into action. NOW. I don’t know what the incident was or (I apologize for assuming that the young person is a he btw) what and why pressure is being brought to bear but I would be concerned.</p>
<p>Also, be aware that within the criminal attorney field some attorneys have a forte: some are plea bargain specialists, some trial specialists, some specialize in drug crimes etc. etc.</p>
<p>(I am not an attorney. Husband is…NOT…in criminal field. But he has two or three people he can call…all with different subspecialities)</p>
<p>sleepless, I sent a PM to you.</p>
<p>I don’t think it will hurt to tell us the city. If it’s NY I’d be happy to see if I can help and I’m sure those near Boston would do the same.</p>
<p>One good source for attorneys is going to be <a href=“http://www.martindale.com%5B/url%5D”>http://www.martindale.com</a>. You can search by practice area “Criminal Law” and the city and you will get a ton of names. Look for attorneys who are rated; AV, BV and CV (with AV being the best and most ethical- as rated by other attorneys). Some are going to be white collar crime, etc. but you should then be able to start linking to firm websites and obtaining more information on the attorney. I would get started on this now. It is not uncommon for a person of interest to have representation while being questioned and without being formally charged. It sounds as if that is what’s going on right now.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the link, sabaray. I’ll check it out. The city is Boston.</p>
<p>I agree with the person above who said STOP TALKING, even if your friend has done nothing wrong, he/she does not know the legal definition of every word said and things can be misconstrued.</p>
<p>If one is giving a statement to the police, one should have an attorney, even if it is a public defender. And don’t assume anything will be like any Law & Order show.</p>
<p>You should NEVER talk to the police without a lawyer present or without your lawyer’s consent. Say something along the lines of “I want a lawyer NOW. I’m not saying anything without consulting one.” If they call you, hang up on them. And if they mention anything in terms of a plea or a deal without your lawyer present, tell your lawyer and have the DA’s ass reported to the Bar Association for interfering with attorney-client relationships.</p>
<p>NEVER believe a single word the DA, police or the judge says on ANYTHING. They’re all interested in locking you up and throwing away the key. Verify EVERYTHING with your lawyer. I’d be calling up the most aggressive lawyer in town if I had a suspicion the police were interested in me.</p>
<p>Full disclosure: I am not a lawyer. None of this is legal advice.</p>
<p>Just chiming in, agreeing that the young lady should NOT be talking to the police without an attorney present. The police are not her friend, even if she hasn’t been charged with anything. Here’s a link to the Boston Bar Association’s Criminal Defense referral service [Qualified</a> Criminal Defense Lawyers | BBA Lawyer Referral Service](<a href=“http://www.bostonbar.org/lrs/defense-lawyers.htm]Qualified”>http://www.bostonbar.org/lrs/defense-lawyers.htm) And, with all the professionals here on this site from the Boston area, I’ll bet you can get some recommendations as well. Good luck!</p>
<p>Sleepless, I sent you a PM.</p>