Guide to Finding New Haven Lawyer

Most people would prefer to go through life without having to deal with the legal process. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Whether you are facing criminal charges, involved in civil litigation or simply trying to prevent legal trouble before it starts, you may find yourself in need of a New Haven lawyer. If you are considering hiring private legal counsel, here are some things to consider to minimize the stress of the process.

When you need a New Haven lawyer

Engaging the services of an attorney is rarely cheap. As with any financial commitment you make or working relationship you enter, you must consider several factors:

• What am I trying to achieve?

• How much can I afford to pay a New Haven lawyer?

• Can I complete the process myself without representation?

• Can I find free pro bono representation?

The answers will vary based on your legal situation. New Haven lawyers have many different functions. If you are financially stable, in many cases it makes sense to practice preventive litigation. This means using a New Haven lawyer to review any paperwork you sign, such as:

• Real estate paperwork, either as a buyer, seller, landlord or leaser

• Financial agreements

• Employment contracts, whether you are the boss or worker

• Marital agreements such as a prenup

New Haven lawyers can review any paperwork you sign to make sure that you are not entering into agreements you do not understand, cannot honor or which commit you to something other than what you expect. These attorneys are known as transactional lawyers. Their job is to stay in the office and look after paperwork. If you can afford their counsel, they can help you avoid costly litigation later.

Sometimes you may need a New Haven lawyer to defend you in court. These are known as litigation lawyers. There are two kinds of court systems. In criminal court, you are charged by a police or government agency with an offense that can result in a monetary fine, jail time or both. These charges fall into three categories:

• Felonies refer to the most serious offenses, such as murder or rape. Connecticut law still allows for the death penalty to be applied in some cases. If you cannot afford to pay for the services of a New Haven lawyer, pro bono representation will be appointed for you.

• Misdemeanors are less serious crimes, such as disorderly conduct. If you are facing the threat of jail time or a fine, in most cases you are entitled to free legal representation if you cannot afford to pay for your own New Haven lawyer.

• Infractions cover minor offenses such as traffic violations. These generally do not entitle you to free legal counsel.Some crimes may be either misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the severity of the offense, such as assault charges.
If you are engaged in a civil lawsuit, in most cases only money will be involved. The civil court system handles such cases as:

• Business disputes relating to contracts, worker-employee disagreement and other related matters

• Real estate disputes

• Personal injury lawsuits, in which one person sues another person or company for injuries they feel another person is responsible for. Connecticut’s statute of limitations require you to file your claim within two years of the injury.

• Victims of domestic abuse who cannot get a public prosecutor to file charges on their behalf can sue for damages in civil court

• Divorce cases in which one party does not consent to a separation

Many parts of the legal system can be navigated without consulting New Haven lawyers. Filing your own paperwork and representing yourself is known as “pro se.” Depending on how complicated your case is and how technical the laws surrounding it, New Haven lawyers may be helpful to make sure you get the most out of the legal system. Not all legal problems are the same. Knowing what you are getting involved with is important to determine before seeking legal counsel.

Finding a New Haven lawyer

Some people may retain the services of an attorney as a matter of course. Others may only start interviewing New Haven lawyers when they decide to file a civil lawsuit or find themselves facing either civil or criminal charges. No matter the nature of your case, once you decide you need an attorney’s help, you should not rush into any relationship.

The most trustworthy recommendations come from people you have known for a long time. Friends, relatives or business colleagues may be able to direct you to New Haven lawyers they have worked with. If you cannot get any recommendations, the New Haven County Bar Association can provide you with a referral to attorneys specializing in your kind of case for a $35 fee. Before agreeing to meet with any attorney, check online to make sure they have a clean disciplinary record and are qualified to practice law.

There is no such thing as a lawyer qualified to handle every single kind of case. New Haven lawyers specialize in various fields. When meeting with any attorney you are thinking about hiring, it is important to ask about what kind of experience and specialized knowledge they have. An honest attorney will be able to refer to you someone more experienced in your kind of case if they are not competent to handle it.

Prepare for a meeting with any New Haven lawyer by assembling any relevant documentation or evidence relating to your case. No attorney can offer a trustworthy assessment of what you can expect from the legal process until they have as much information as possible. Be prepared to answer all questions honestly. Resist the temptation to hide or conceal information you consider damaging, which will only hurt you in the long run. Be sure to receive written documentation of the attorney’s proposed course of action, the expected timeline of your case and what kind of fees you will be charged.