Guide to Finding Baton Rouge Lawyer

Whether you are facing criminal or civil charges, filing a lawsuit or trying to avoid being sued in the future, at some point in your life you may want to find an attorney. Baton Rouge lawyers can serve many different functions. Every case and situation is different and requires specialized knowledge. If you are thinking of hiring a Baton Rouge lawyer to help you, here are some things to keep in mind.

Civil and criminal court

There are two different kinds of charges you can face. If you are appearing in criminal court, this means that you have been charged by the police or a government agency with one of three different kinds of crimes:

• Felonies cover the most serious kinds of offenses, such as murder and rape. The death penalty can still be applied in Louisiana if you are charged with the former.

• Misdemeanors refer to less serious crimes, such as being drunk and disorderly in public.

• Infractions refer to minor offenses such as traffic violations.

If you are charged with an infraction, you are not entitled to receive the free advice and representation of a Baton Rouge lawyer. Otherwise, you are generally entitled to legal counsel even if you cannot afford to pay for any. From the moment you are arrested and charged with a crime, you should not take any action until you can talk to an attorney.

Whether privately hired or publicly appointed, during the criminal court process Baton Rouge lawyers will:

• Advise you during your first appearance in court, known as an “arraignment.” At this time, they will advise you whether to plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. They can also help you figure out whether to accept any plea bargain you are offered, argue that evidence against you has been improperly obtained and try to reduce any bail you may have to pay.

• Prepare for trial and negotiate with the prosecution to obtain an out-of-court resolution.

• Represent you in court if need be and offer the strongest possible case for your innocence.

• If you are convicted, your Baton Rouge lawyer will present any mitigating circumstances during sentencing to try to reduce any payments or jail time you are facing.

In the civil court process, an individual sues another person or business, generally for financial compensation. These kinds of lawsuits can include:

• Employees suing former or current bosses for violation of their contract, such as underpayment or being asked to perform illegal actions

• Disputes between landlords and tenants

• Filing for damages sustained from an injury caused by someone else

• People trapped in an abusive relationship who cannot get the public prosecutor to file criminal charges on their behalf

You are not required to use a Baton Rouge lawyer in civil court. Both there and criminal court, assuming you are of sound mind you are allowed to represent yourself using the “pro se” process. If your case is relatively simple, you may not need Baton Rouge lawyers to help you. For example, in a divorce where both parties agree on the terms of their separation and how to divide their property, you can achieve your separation without needing legal help.

Preventive litigation

For people who can afford to hire legal representation as a matter of course, Baton Rouge lawyers can help you avoid ending up in court. While attorneys who go to court are known as “litigation lawyers,” those who work behind the scenes are known as “transactional lawyers.” These kinds of attorneys handle paperwork and safeguard you from the threat of a lawsuit.

Services Baton Rouge lawyers offer for those seeking preventive litigation include:

• Reviewing any business relationships you enter into, such as contracts for new employees or agreements with contractors

• Helping make sure any real estate agreement you sign lives up to the terms you have agreed to

• Make sure any rulebooks employers have for employees follow all federal and state laws

Retaining the services of a Baton Rouge lawyer can be expensive. However, if you are working in a field that leaves you open to the treat of a lawsuit, hiring an attorney now can help you later. Even if you are sued, you will have a Baton Rouge lawyer you already trust to help you prepare to go to court. Your transactional attorney will be able to ready any documentation a litigation lawyer will need.

Hiring a Baton Rouge lawyer

Retaining the private service of an attorney is not a process to rush through. Even if the charges you are facing are serious and require you to go to court soon, you should take as much time as you need to find a Baton Rouge lawyer you are comfortable with

Before trying to find legal counsel, figure out what kind of help you are looking for. Baton Rouge lawyers specialize in different areas. You need someone with experience in your kind of case. Friends and family who have been in similar situations may be able to refer you to a trustworthy attorney. You may also ask your local bar association for a referral to a specialist competent in your field.

Before talking to any Baton Rouge lawyer, prepare any documentation you have. The more evidence you can present at your first meeting, the more reliable the opinion of any attorney you talk to. You should be prepared to ask questions such as:

• What can I expect from the legal process?

• How long will my case last?

• What kind of expenses will I be liable for? Can you advance the cost of any of them?

• How often will I be billed?

• How will I be updated about any progress in my case?

• Will you be handling my case alone or will you also use the help of your associates and paralegals?

Receive written documentation of the timeline and proposed expenses of your case at your first meeting. Having a record of any agreement you enter into will help ensure both you and your Baton Rouge lawyer have a clear understanding of the nature of your professional relationship.