Guide to Finding Georgetown Lawyer

Many people may find themselves in need of legal representation at some point throughout their lives. Georgetown lawyers can review paperwork to help minimize the risk of a future lawsuit, help you pursue civil litigation or defend you in court. Whatever your circumstances, no two cases are the same. Here are some things to keep in mind if you are thinking of consulting a Georgetown lawyer.

Preventive litigation

Many attorneys do not appear in court. These Georgetown lawyers are known as “transactional attorneys” and work behind the scenes. This kind of legal work can be especially people for businesspeople who can afford to retain the services of an attorney on a permanent basis. Some of the tasks these Georgetown lawyers perform include:

• Reviewing all business agreements

• Making sure your workplace is compliance with all local, state and federal safety laws

• Maintaining your tax records and making sure you have not inadvertently committed any tax disputes

• Examining any financial agreements you enter, such as a mortgage

This kind of representation can be costly, since it requires you to regularly pay for the services of a Georgetown lawyer for an indefinite period of time. However, the bigger your business, the more sense it makes to set aside some money for this expense. Investing in legal advice now can help people who do not understand the complexities of the law avoid accidentally violating it.

Criminal court

Other Georgetown lawyers are known as “litigation attorneys,” who appear in court on behalf of a client. If you are charged with a crime by the police or a government agency, you are generally entitled to free legal representation if you cannot afford to pay for private legal counsel.

There are three levels of criminal charges:

• Felonies are the most serious kinds of offenses, such as murder, rape and kidnapping.

• Misdemeanors cover less serious violations of the law, such as assault.

• Infractions are the least serious kinds of offenses, such as speeding tickets.

Infractions do not entitle you to trial by jury or free, pro bono representation by a Georgetown lawyer. However, felonies and misdemeanors can result in a large financial penalty or jail time if you are found guilty. If you are charged with these crimes, a judge will appoint a Georgetown lawyer to represent you at all stages throughout the legal process:

• After you are arrested, your first appearance in court will come at an arraignment hearing. At this time, the charges against you will be formally presented by the prosecution, which may also offer a plea bargain in return for a “guilty” or “no contest” plea. Georgetown lawyers can help you to evaluate the prosecution’s offer and try to have your bail, if any, reduced.

• If you choose to plead “not guilty,” your case will proceed to trial. Before you appear in court, Georgetown lawyers working for both sides will regularly exchange any evidence they plan on presenting in court in the “discovery” phase. Your attorney may uncover procedural errors committed during the process of accumulating evidence against you. These can be grounds for the dismissal of your case.

• Should your case proceed to court, a Georgetown lawyer will present the strongest possible case on your behalf. If you are found guilty, an attorney will be present at your sentencing hearing to argue for a sentence less than called for by the prosecution.

At any point before a verdict is reached, a Georgetown lawyer may be able to negotiate a mutually acceptable plea bargain with the prosecution. Assuming you are in sound mental health, you are allowed to represent yourself in a “pro se” capacity. However, it is always advisable for people who are not experienced in the law to take in account the advice of an attorney before making any decisions.

Civil court

When civil litigation is filed, a plaintiff is generally seeking a financial settlement. In this process, the person being sued is not entitled to free legal representation. Some of the reasons a person may choose to file a complaint with the applicable civil court include:

• An injury caused by another person or a defective product

• Disputes between buyers and sellers of property

• Disputes between landlords and tenants

• Victims of medical malpractice

• Employees who have been underpaid

• Employees who have been fired after refusing to perform illegal actions

• Employees who have been victims of sexual harassment

Most civil litigation will be resolved before entering the trial phase. Georgetown lawyers representing both sides will attempt to negotiate a mutually acceptable settlement during the pretrial process. Should you wish to actively pursue a court appearance, you should inform any attorney you consult at the outset.

Finding a Georgetown lawyer

Unless you are facing criminal charges and have already consulted with a publicly appointed attorney, finding private legal representation is not a process to rush into. If you have decided you have the financial resources to hire a Georgetown lawyer, ask friends, family and business associates to refer you to a specialist in your kind of case they have successfully worked with. Do not schedule an initial consultation with any attorneys until you have examined their disciplinary records online and made sure they are in good legal standing.

To get the most out of your first meeting with any Georgetown lawyers, assemble any documentation that may be relevant to your case. Arrive with a list of questions to ask, such as:

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

• How long can I take my case to take before a resolution is achieved?

• Who can I contact if I need to get in touch with you? How soon can I expect to hear from you?

• What can I realistically expect to achieve during the legal process?

At your first meeting, make sure to obtain a detailed, written estimate of all expenses you may be accountable for. This will help to ensure that the terms of your attorney-client relationship are firmly established at the outset.