Friday, March 30, 2012

Becoming a Successful Criminal Lawyer

Criminal appeals lawyers are responsible for the phrase “innocent until proven guilty”. Becoming this type of lawyer is hard work, and not everyone interested in law is cut out for this type of work. It takes years of knowledge as well as experience to become a successful criminal lawyer. Clients come to the criminal lawyers, filled with expectations, and a successful criminal lawyer does whatever they can to defend their client. Unlike the other types of lawyers, a lawyer specialized in handling the criminal cases will be highly trained to handle any unforeseen situations in the court of law. An experienced criminal appeals lawyer will have the potential to challenge the judgment of the court. This is an important trait required to become a successful as well as popular criminal appeal lawyer. The ones who are the most popular in the industry, typically with the highest success rate, are the ones who demands for high fees. The clients are forced to pay the amounts in full as there will be no negotiations.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Hiring a Drug or Narcotic Attorney

Facing a drug charge is a serious crime that can result in severe legal consequences. It is for this reason that many accused seek that aid of drug attorneys. The legal consequences in these types of criminal cases can result in large fines and jail time. Choosing the right attorney is important, one needs to find a lawyer with a solid record, and who is trustworthy. The drug charges differ according to the nature of the case. Drug crimes cover a range of offenses that includes sale to manufacture and distribution of controlled substances. These offenses will result in the accused being put in prison, property forfeiture, probation and participation in a drug treatment program. The most common drug Issues that drug attorneys face are drug possession and possession with intention to distribute. Drug trafficking, transportation, cultivation are also other examples. The types of drugs are prescription drugs and street drugs. The prescription drugs range from narcotics to tranquilizers and pain killers. Illegal distribution of prescription drugs is also a crime. The street drugs are abused and sold on the streets. Some of the street drugs are cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, crack, ecstasy and marijuana. Some states have possession of heroin charges, cocaine possession or possession of marijuana. The penalties and sentences for drug charges vary in different states and depending on the drug. Manufacture of drugs is a very serious offense and can lead the person to long-term imprisonment or even life sentences in some places.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Criminal Attorney Fees for Legal Services

Criminal attorney fees are the compensation required by attorneys for the legal service they provide. Attorney fees vary between firms, the type of services provided, and because of other factors. These fees are separate from fines, punitive and compensation damages and or court costs, which may be assessed in a legal case.

Through client surveys, it can be said that attorney fees usually range from $200 to $1000 per hour, although this is certainly not always the case. Smaller firms will charge a much lower amount. Insurance defense firms have low rates when compared to non-insurance firms. The Laffey Matrix is the most prevalent system for determining lawyer fees in the United States.

With this system, the hourly rates of an attorney are established according to the years of experience he or she has in this field. For example, attorneys who have 20+ years of experience command an hourly rate of $430, whereas $380 an hour would be determined for attorneys with 11 to 19 years of experience. A lawyer with 8 to 10 years of experience would charge $315 per hour, and $255 if they had been practicing for 4 to 7 years.

On the lower end of the scale, attorney fees for those with 1 to 3 years of experience would be $215 per hour, according to the Laffey Matrix. This system is approved by many courts in the United States. Hourly attorney rates increase every year, but there are attorneys who provide their time and expertise for more than the Laffey Matrix would advise.