Not All Defense Attorneys are Created Equal

On behalf of Southworth and Stamman, LLC on Wednesday, March 6, 2013.

"Are all defense attorneys the same? Aren't I going to get the same deal regardless of who represents me?"These are questions that come up often from people I talk to - friends, family, and potential clients. The answer is emphatically, "NO!" Not all defense attorneys are the same. Many people fall for this misconception and end up seeking out the lowest priced lawyer as if they are shopping at Wal-Mart for the cheapest television set. They wrongly assume that every lawyer is going to get them the same deal, so they go for the cheapest price available.

Working in the Prosecutor's Office in Mauston, Juneau County for the past few summers, I could see the difference in the diligent and competent work ethic by some lawyers, and not so much for others. Though I did not "know" which lawyers were cheap and which probably charged more, I'm sure I could pick them out. Some attorneys followed the same old song and dance for each case, while others looked for creative options and alternative solutions that often worked, effectively helping their client.

What to look for in a criminal defense attorneyThe commonly used quote "You get what you pay for" often, though not always, applies to lawyers as well. Does that mean that you cannot find an extremely competent and hard-working lawyer at a reasonable price? I believe you absolutely can!

Yet, looking solely at price, a person in need of an attorney can make a big mistake by not carefully choosing an attorney that will strongly represent him/her. Surely, price can and should be a factor in searching for the right firm, but it should not be the sole factor. Money is certainly an issue and you can find very qualified attorneys at a reasonable price. But make sure to spend time researching who the best fit would be. Will they treat your case as unique and spend sufficient time on it, or are they too busy or unwilling to put forth the extra effort that could seriously impact the result of your case? Whether it be our firm, or another firm, make sure you're comfortable with the attorney you select, not simply based it off the lowest price you can find.

By Phillip Stamman
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Note: Nothing in this blog is intended to guarantee or even imply better results in a specific case. Nor does it intend to compare our services with another lawyers.