Guide to Finding Boise Lawyer

Though most people would prefer to never have to engage the services of an attorney, there are many circumstances in which you may have to seek private legal counsel. Boise lawyers specialize in many different fields. No two attorneys possess the same skills, and no two legal cases are the same. Before you decide to hire a Boise lawyer, here are some things to consider.

How the law works

There are many different court systems. The police and government agencies prosecute cases in criminal courts, while private citizens pursue their grievances through civil court. Other arenas of the law include family and bankruptcy court. In all of these systems, you can dispense with the services of Boise lawyers and choose to represent yourself in a “pro se” capacity. However, for many laymen this will be difficult to do while ensuring you receive the most benefit from the legal system.

In criminal court, defendants are arrested by the police and brought to court for an arraignment ceremony. At this time, they receive the details of their charges, which can fall into three categories:

• Felonies include such serious crimes as murder, rape and kidnapping. In Idaho, some felonies can result in the death penalty. You may also be assessed a financial penalty or have to serve jail time.

• Misdemeanors cover less grave charges, such as assault or drunk driving.

• Infractions are the least serious kind of offense, such as speeding. In these cases, you are generally issued a citation and asked to appear in court without being arrested.

Unlike the other two types of offenses, infractions do not allow you to receive free pro bono representation from a Boise lawyer or grant you the right to trial by jury.

Several things happen besides being formally charged during your arraignment hearing. At this time, a Boise lawyer can help you by:

• Advising you whether to plead guilty, not guilty or no contest

• Point to procedural errors, such as the illegal collection of evidence, that may invalidate the prosecution’s case and be grounds for dismissal of your case

• Evaluate any plea bargains the prosecution offers you

• Help make the bail charges less expensive to help you get out of jail

If your case moves beyond this stage, Boise lawyers prepare for trial by:

• Sharing information with the prosecution and examining any testimony or evidence that may be used against you in trial

• Continue filing motions to dismiss the charges against you on various grounds, such as demonstrating that the prosecution cannot present a case that would reasonably result in prosecution

• Preparing any witnesses who can testify on your behalf

• Try to negotiate a plea bargain acceptable to both you and the prosecution

In court, your Boise lawyer will defend you to the best of their ability. Should you be convicted of any crimes, they will also appear at your sentencing hearing to present mitigating evidence or circumstances that call for a reduced sentence.

Civil court cases are even less likely than criminal charges to be resolved in the courtroom. In most cases, Boise lawyers will be able to negotiate an out-of-court financial settlement. People who may consider filing a lawsuit in civil court include:

• Renters or leasers in disputes with their landlords

• People who have been taken advantage of while purchasing real estate

• Victims of domestic abuse who are unable to get a public prosecutor to prosecute their abuser

• Injury victims who want to receive damages from the person, business or institution responsible

Unlike criminal charges, if you are facing civil litigation you are not entitled to free representation from a Boise lawyer. If you can afford private legal counsel, you will be better qualified to make sure you do not commit any procedural errors or present a weak defense.

In some circumstances, you may want to use Boise lawyers even though you are not expecting to appear in civil or criminal court. These areas of the law include:

• Adopting a child.

• Using a Boise lawyer to review any business paperwork or records you maintain to make sure you are in compliance with all state, federal and local charges. This kind of preventive litigation helps safeguard you against lawsuits.

• Filing for bankruptcy.

• Negotiating the terms of a divorce with your partner.

Finding a Boise lawyer

Only you can decide when and if you need legal representation. Factors to consider include:

• What are your goals? Are you trying to prevent a lawsuit, responding to one, or filing one?

• Do you want to go all the way to court or would you prefer to settle beforehand?

• How much time, money and attention can you devote to your legal proceedings?

• Can you file for yourself? How complicated is the situation?

If you have decided you need private legal representation, ask friends and family to recommend any Boise lawyers they have had good experiences hiring in the specialized area of your concern. You may also ask for a recommendation from the Idaho State Bar. Before scheduling any meetings, look up the disciplinary record of any attorney you are referred to and make sure they are good standing and qualified to practice law.

You may need to talk with several Boise lawyers before you find one whose answers satisfy you. Questions to ask include:

• What is your level of experience with my kind of case?

• If you are not a specialist in my field, can you recommend me to a Boise lawyer who is?

• What is your fee? How often are clients billed? Do you charge a flat fee, for each service performed, by the hour or in some other way?

• How long do you expect my case to take?

Receive a detailed, written estimate of all expenses you can expect to incur. It is important to create an open, honest attorney-client relationship at the outset to avoid problems with your Boise lawyer later on.