Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to look for. Here are specific red flags that should give you pause:
Promises of specific outcomes. Be cautious of any attorney who promises a specific result before reviewing the evidence in your case. No experienced lawyer can make that promise honestly. The facts of every case are different, and the quality of any attorney’s advice depends on a thorough review of the specific circumstances. Any attorney who guarantees you an outcome before understanding your case is either inexperienced or telling you what you want to hear to earn your business.
More interest in your retainer than your situation. The quality of the initial consultation is a preview of how the attorney will approach your case. An attorney who rushes through the facts, doesn’t ask meaningful questions, and steers the conversation quickly toward fee arrangements is showing you something important about how they prioritize clients.
Unusually low fees. Criminal defense takes time, and attorneys who charge significantly lower fees than their peers are often handling unusually high caseloads, which means each individual client receives less attention. Some attorneys will charge lower fees simply because they want business. When it comes to your defense, cutting costs can come at a far greater price down the road.
Difficulty reaching the attorney during the consultation itself. If an attorney is disorganized, distracted, or hard to reach in the earliest stages of your relationship — before you have even retained them — that behavior is unlikely to improve once you are a paying client.
The Real Cost of the Decision
We want to address directly the temptation to hire an attorney based primarily on price. We understand completely that legal fees represent a real financial burden for many families, and we are not suggesting that cost should be irrelevant to your decision.
But think carefully about the full cost of the decision you are making. A criminal conviction can affect:
- Your employment and career
- Your professional licenses
- Your housing options
- Your immigration status if you are not a citizen
- Your ability to own a firearm
- Your driver’s license
- Your standing in your community
The consequences of a conviction can last for the rest of your life. Measured against those stakes, the difference in cost between adequate representation and excellent representation often looks very different.
Milligan & Higgins is a premier OUI and criminal defense firm in Massachusetts, with over forty years of collective experience. If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges, we are here to help.
Watch our firm video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx-X_9CssZo&t=2s
Contact Milligan & Higgins for a free consultation or second opinion. Please send us an email: Intake@milliganhiggins.com or call 781-878-1231.
