When you are accused of a crime, hiring a criminal defense attorney is crucial. The prosecution can access all records and evidence from the investigation. The prosecutor usually has this information ahead of the defense, giving them a strategic advantage. Here are some considerations when you hire an Arkansas criminal defense attorney. The advantage for the prosecution is that it has all of the necessary investigation materials before the defense can begin their case.
Matthew McKay
There may be an Arkansas attorney that can represent you if your case has been referred to the Arkansas Supreme Court. Matthew P. McKay was admitted to Arkansas in 2007. He practices in many areas, including drug crimes and juvenile crimes. He is familiar with all types and trials, and will aggressively represent your case in court to ensure the best outcome.
When hiring a criminal defense attorney, it's important to find one that can offer you a free consultation. Ask about any hidden fees, including the cost of the initial interview. It is also useful to look into the reputation of your attorney. Is he well-regarded in his field? Is he able to provide you with a list of satisfied clients? Refer to previous clients if you aren't sure. They will be able to provide you with high quality legal representation.
Dan Hancock
Dan Hancock, an Arkansas criminal defense lawyer, is licensed to practise in all state courts as well federal courts. He is a White Hall, Arkansas native who served six years with the United States Navy. He graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor's degree. He also received his Juris Doctorate in Law from the William H. Bowen School of Law. He is a member in good standing of the Arkansas Bar Association, Pulaski Country Bar Association, as well as National Criminal Defense Attorneys Association.
Arkansas Public Defender Commission manages a network specialized divisions that are experts in criminal law. The Juvenile Ombudsman Division handles cases of juvenile delinquency or commitment. The Capital, Conflicts and Appellate Division is responsible for the defense of individuals who have been accused of capital crime and death penalty. Each division has its own judicial office, clerks, judges. Each judicial district has its own unique scheduling and terms of court.
John Wesley Hall
Mr. Hall is a former prosecutor and chief of the career criminal division of the Little Rock District Attorney's Office. He is a federal court practitioner, which includes the United States Court of Appeals of the 2nd and 5th Circuits. He was also a member of Arkansas Bar Association's House of Delegates.
Hall graduated in 1973 from the University of Arkansas Law School and has been actively involved in the legal community eversince. He served as the Treasurer and Secretary of NACDL Board of Directors for 14 year. He was also past president of Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Hall has won many awards and honors for the work he did, including the Heeney Award or the Distinguished Achievement Award.
Clevenger Law Firm
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality) hired Benca in June 2018, to serve as his lead attorney. Benca is an experienced criminal defense attorney who has national exposure. He pleaded guilty in two cases of theft and burglary. He received two years probation and a $500 fine and was ordered to complete psychiatric counseling. Clevenger was also cleared by the judge of an attempted theft charge. Benca also received national attention for his representation at Clevenger of Damien Echols. Benca was previously a corporate attorney who earned $62,531 a year for Arkansas' environmental agency.
The firm is based out of Bentonville, Arkansas. However, they handle cases throughout Arkansas. They have a focus on the northwest Arkansas region including Little Rock Springdale and Fayetteville. However, they accept cases from all parts of Arkansas. Wilkinson is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association's directory. He has extensive jury trial and courtroom experience. He has lectured to attorneys in 40 different states.
FAQ
What's the difference between a personal injury lawyer versus a civil rights attorney?
Personal injury lawyers represent people who have been hurt without fault. These injuries may include car accidents and slip-and-falls as well as dog bites.
Individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated by civil rights lawyers are represented by civil rights attorneys. This could include discrimination based racial, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and so on.
What law firm has the highest average salary?
Firms that have been in business for many decades and are considered leaders in their fields are the best-paying. Because they provide outstanding service at an affordable price, they have built a loyal client base. These companies also offer great benefits, such as retirement plans and health insurance.
How do lawyers make their money?
By billing clients at an hourly fee, lawyers are paid for their time spent on legal matters. Hourly rates will vary depending on how complex the matter is and how much experience a lawyer has.
The most experienced lawyers charge higher hourly fees because they have developed expertise over many years.
An experienced lawyer might charge less per hour as he/she teaches how to better handle cases.
Some lawyers are compensated for handling particular types of cases. If they are acquitted, for example, criminal defense lawyers might be eligible to receive bonuses.
What's the difference between a paralegal or a legal assistant?
Paralegals have specific skills such as research, filing and typing. An attorney may need a legal assistant to help with research, writing, and the preparation of pleadings. Both types of professionals help attorneys complete their workload.
How much should I expect to pay for a lawyer?
Ask yourself what you need from a lawyer before you decide to hire them. The hourly rate should be between $1,000 to $2,500. Many people don't realize the amount of time that is required to research the options, prepare paperwork and meet with a lawyer. So, even though you think you are paying just for his or her advice, you actually end up spending more money than that.
Consider whether you wish to retain the attorney full-time, part-time, or both. Full-time lawyers typically charge hourly rates. Part-time lawyers usually bill by project. If you only need help once or twice a year, it makes sense to use a part-time lawyer. A full-time lawyer is best if you need continuous assistance.
It is also worth considering whether you would prefer to work with a solo practitioner, or a company. While solo practitioners are more affordable than firms, they may not have the resources necessary to provide quality representation. Firms may offer more experience, greater expertise and greater access.
The cost of malpractice insurance should be considered. While some states require all lawyers to carry professional liability insurance, others do not. In any case, it is a good idea to check with the state bar association to see if there are any insurers in your area.
Statistics
- According to the Law School Admission Council, the number of people applying for these programs was up 13% last fall. (stfrancislaw.com)
- The nationwide number of first-year students enrolling last fall increased by almost 12%, according to recent data by the American Bar Association. (stfrancislaw.com)
- According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average annual wage of a lawyer is $144,230. (legal.io)
- Though the BLS predicts that growth in employment for lawyers will continue at six percent through 2024, that growth may not be enough to provide jobs for all graduating law school students. (rasmussen.edu)
- A Johns Hopkins study of more than 100 professions found lawyers the most likely to have severe depression—four times more likely than the average person. (rasmussen.edu)
External Links
How To
Where can I get legal aid for free?
Because there are many lawyers who want your business, it can be very difficult to find a pro-bono lawyer. There are many options for finding a pro-bono attorney. Ask around at your local bar association or search online for a list pro bono attorneys. You may also check with your state bar association. Local law schools are another option for finding a pro-bono attorney. Many law schools offer the opportunity for students to work with clients who are low-income to ensure that they have access to justice. If none or all of these options appeal, you might be interested in contacting Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to learn more. LSC supports organizations that offer free civil legal assistance for people below the poverty line. This organization funds programs that aid low-income persons with housing issues, child support enforcement and family law matters. In addition to providing financial assistance, LSC also advises and guides its grantees on how best to serve their clientele. Among the services that LSC offers are:
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Financial counseling
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Assistance with filing bankruptcy
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Family violence cases can be resolved by helping families
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Representation before administrative agencies
Here are some tips to help you find a pro bono lawyer if you are struggling to find one.
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You shouldn't waste your time looking for a specialist in your case. Pro bono lawyers often represent different types of clients, which means they'll likely have little experience working with your particular kind of issue.
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You should look for a lawyer with experience representing low-income clients. This means that they are familiar with the communication needs of this client group.
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Ask if there is any specific training for your area. If you have to deal with landlord/tenant issues for instance, make sure that you ask the lawyer about their experience in these cases.
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Check to see if the lawyer will accept new clients. Some lawyers are limited to certain types of cases. This means that you may not find one who is willing to take on pro bono clients.
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Do not believe lawyers who claim to specialize within a specific area of law. Many lawyers will claim to be specialists in one area but not the other.
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Check that the lawyer has a good reputation. Ask close friends and family for recommendations. Also, search online for reviews from other clients.