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Identity theft is one of the most common crimes of the modern era. Nearly one of every twenty Americans deal with identity theft every single year.
Worse, it’s easy to find yourself accused of identity theft. If these accusations get upheld in court, you could face severe legal fines, not to mention a long time in a prison cell. So, if someone accuses you of this crime, your only choice is to hire an identity theft lawyer.
What should you look for in your defense attorney in a case like this? Here’s what you need to know.
High Levels of Knowledge and Experience
The first thing that you should look for in an identity theft lawyer, and indeed, any criminal defense lawyer is a high level of knowledge and experience. You want some well-versed both in the courtroom and out. You need someone on your side who understands the often tricky world of credit and identity theft law like the back of their hand.
An Exceptional Communicator
Whether you attempt a plea bargain or settle the matter in court, you will need an exceptional communicator for your identity theft case. Your criminal defense lawyer needs to be able to communicate their legal advice clearly. Financial law makes for dry reading and drier understanding to the uninitiated, so they need to make sure that you understand your options.
However, being an exceptional communicator doesn’t just lie in a lawyer’s speaking skills. They should also listen to you and your needs, helping you through every step of a stressful process.
A Zealous Advocate
When you’ve been falsely accused of identity theft, it can feel like the entire world has turned against you. People take a very dim view of those whom they believe have scammed or defrauded others. Worse, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a jury member that hasn’t been affected by identity theft, should it come to that.
With all of this in mind, you need someone like Criminal Defense Lawyer Jarrett Maillet. Someone who will serve as your zealous advocate in a court of law, even when it seems like the evidence and the odds are stacked against you. If you’re browsing your options for lawyers and have yet to find one that you’re sure will defend you to the end, don’t settle.
Everyone deserves to have someone in their corner when facing the long arm of the law.
Thorough Case Preparation
You don’t graduate from law school without learning how to prepare your case from their opening arguments to their closing statements. This proves doubly important when dealing with finance law, where even the slightest decimal out of place could spell victory or doom for your case. A good identity theft lawyer should prove willing to examine every piece of evidence that might strengthen your defense.
As part of this preparation, they should apprise you of your best course of action in this criminal case. While everyone deserves a zealous advocate, there’s little point in belaboring the charges if you don’t have a case sufficient to refute them. When you talk to your lawyer, they’ll be able to tell you the best ways to defend your rights and best interests in court.
A Consummate, Confident Professional
While the “eccentric” lawyer might make for exceptional theatre, you don’t want them in your corner in the real world. You need someone who exudes confidence in the courtroom and commands the respect of the jury and judge both. Your lawyer should be a consummate professional and keep the coolest head in the room.
In addition, your lawyer should be willing to take direction or dictation from you. While they can offer you legal advice, your ultimate case decisions are in your hands. Your plea and whether or not you go to trial should be your call, not theirs.
Willing to Negotiate Funding
Comparing lawyer costs is a critical part of finding the best defender for you. If you’ve been interred due to suspicions of identity theft, you may or may not have full access to your assets for the duration of the case. A good criminal defense attorney will prove willing to negotiate your expenses and find ways to make their fees work with your budget.
Hiring a lawyer can be quite expensive. A good lawyer will provide you with the exceptional defense, experience, and service you deserve while finding ways to make payment arrangements that won’t break your bank.
Protects Lawyer-Client Privilege
It’s all too easy for information that should remain confidential to wind up leaked, whether in person or on the internet. You don’t want someone exposing the particulars of your criminal case to all and sundry. Even if they expose details to their peers or other external sources “for the case”, it could mean that they aren’t keeping your confidence in other legal matters.
Attorney-client privilege is sacrosanct. If you have reason to believe your lawyer isn’t upholding it, then it’s time to look for another lawyer.
Trust Your Gut Instinct
While researching references and reviews can help you find a good identity theft lawyer, nothing should supersede your gut instinct. Make sure you meet with and talk to your lawyer in person before taking them on as your attorney. If you get the feeling that they don’t have your best interests at heart, then don’t accept their defense. Plain and simple.
What You Need in an Identity Theft Lawyer: Let’s Review
So, if you’ve been accused of identity theft, what do you need in an identity theft lawyer? Many of the traits that make for a great criminal defense attorney will also help you in your identity theft case, so keep an eye out for those hallmarks. If you research your options thoroughly, you’re sure to find the best choice for your case and budget.