Guide to Finding West Palm Beach Lawyer

There are many situations in daily life where you may need an attorney’s advice. People who are facing criminal charges are entitled to free representation from a West Palm Beach lawyer, while civilians facing litigation may wish to retain the private services of an attorney. Entering into a relationship with any private legal counsel is not a matter to be rushed into. Here are some things to consider if you are thinking of consulting a West Palm Beach lawyer.

What lawyers do

No two legal situations are exactly the same. There are two kinds of West Palm Beach lawyers:

• Transactional attorneys work behind the scenes, reviewing and maintaining paperwork. This kind of work helps to guard you against potential lawsuits.

• Litigation attorneys represent clients in civil or criminal court.

Transactional attorneys are helpful for business owners who want to make sure all of their paperwork is in order. Some documents you may want to retain a West Palm each lawyer to review and maintain include:

• All tax paperwork you complete

• Employer-employee contracts

• Employee manuals

• Mortgages

• Any real estate transactions

• Any contracts or agreements you enter into

Any kind of paperwork which commits you to responsibilities or financial commitments can benefit from being reviewed by an attorney. This kind of preventive litigation makes sense for people who can afford to hire a West Palm Beach lawyer to work for them on a regular basis.

Some people who may not be able to retain an attorney may still end up receiving legal advice. If you are facing criminal charges, you are generally entitled to free legal representation. Police or government agencies can bring three kinds of charges:

• Felonies are the most serious types of offenses, such as murder or rape. Such charges may result in a death penalty sentence.

• Misdemeanors refer to less serious crimes, such as robbery or assault.

• Infractions are minor violations such as traffic tickets. These kinds of offences do not entitle you to free legal representation from a West Palm Beach lawyer.

People charged with felonies and misdemeanors will have a pro bono counsel appointed for them by the court if they do not have or cannot afford an attorney. After being arrested, a West Palm Beach lawyer will advise you throughout the legal process:

• During an arraignment hearing, charges will formally be presented. The prosecution may issue a plea bargain at this time. West Palm Beach lawyers can advise you whether to plead guilty, not guilty or no contest and evaluate the advisability of accepting a plea bargain.

• Throughout the pretrial process, attorneys working for both sides are required to share any evidence they plan on introducing in court. A West Palm Beach lawyer will construct your defense while examining the proof against you. If there is insufficient evidence to reasonably expect a conviction, a motion of dismissal may be granted.

• If no mutually acceptable plea bargain can be negotiated and the case proceeds to court, a West Palm Beach lawyer will present the strongest possible case for your defence.

• If you are found guilty, an attorney will present any mitigating evidence justifying a sentence less severe than that called for by the prosecutor.

Civil lawsuits follow a different set of proceedings. In these kinds of cases, a plaintiff files a lawsuit, generally seeking compensation or resolution of a dispute, such as:

• Asking for damages or compensation for any personal injury caused by another person or defective product. There is a four year statute of limitations on these types of lawsuits.

• Disagreements between landlords and tenants

• Charges of employer misconduct such as sexual harassment

If a complaint is filed against you, you are not entitled to free representation from West Palm Beach lawyers. At all times, people of sound mental health may choose to represent themselves in civil and criminal court. However, if you can afford or are offered any legal counsel, you should consider any advice you are given.

Finding a West Palm Beach lawyer

When and if you decide you need private legal counsel, do not engage the services of the first attorney you consult. Ask friends and family for referrals to West Palm Beach lawyers they have successfully worked with. The Florida Bar or a local bar association can also recommend a qualified specialist. Prior to scheduling a meeting with any attorney, check their disciplinary record online to make sure they are in good legal standing and have not been censured for any ethical violations.

You may have to talk with several West Palm Beach lawyers before you find someone you feel confident in hiring to represent you in court. Make the first of any first meeting by preparing all relevant documentation for your prospective legal counsel to examine. Answer all questions in as much detail as possible, and prepare a list of your own questions to ask, such as:

• What kind of specialized experience do you have with my kind of case?

• If you are not qualified to represent me, can you recommend a more experienced West Palm Beach lawyer?

• How long can I expect my case to take to resolve?

• What kind of expenses will I be liable for?

• What are the possible consequences if I lose the lawsuit?

• How will I be updated about progress on my case?

• Who do I contact at your firm if I have a questions?

Obtain a detailed, written explanation of any course of action proposed by a West Palm Beach lawyer. At this time, you should also receive a documented list of what you will have to pay for. Make sure to find out how often you will be billed and how you will be charged work performed for you: for each service provided, by the hour or by another arrangement. Establishing the expectations of both the attorney and client at the outset will help prevent misunderstandings later.