Red Flags to Watch Out for With a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Hawaii
Choosing the right criminal defense lawyer in Hawaii can be super stressful and overwhelming. This person will be your advocate throughout the whole legal process, so you want to make sure you pick someone who’s the right fit. But there are definitely some red flags you should watch out for when interviewing potential attorneys. I made some mistakes early on when I was searching for a lawyer for my case, so I want to help others avoid those pitfalls.
Scare Tactics
Some lawyers will try to scare you into hiring them by making your situation seem way worse than it is. They’ll be like “You’re facing 20 years in prison if you don’t let me handle this!” when really the max sentence for your charge is like 2 years. Shady move.
A good lawyer will lay out the facts and be real with you about possible outcomes, but they won’t try to terrify you into becoming their client. That’s a bully move, and do you really want a bully as your advocate? Probably not.
High Pressure Sales Tactics
I talked to one lawyer who was super pushy about me signing their retainer agreement on the spot. They were like “I’m the best defense attorney on the island, so you better sign right now before I take on another client!” Yeah, no thanks.
A good lawyer will understand this is a big decision and won’t apply crazy pressure for you to commit right away. They’ll give you time to think it over and even encourage you to talk with other attorneys before deciding.
Unrealistic Promises
Some lawyers will guarantee things like “I’ll get all the charges dropped” without even looking at your case file. It’s one thing to be confident, but don’t believe promises that seem too good to be true.
A good lawyer will look at your case and give an honest, realistic assessment of possible outcomes. They may think dismissal is likely, but won’t make absolute guarantees.
Name Dropping
I talked to one lawyer who kept name dropping the prosecutor and judge in my case, talking about how tight he was with them. He implied it would help him get a better deal for me.
But that’s an empty promise. A good lawyer will know the key players in the local legal system, but won’t rely on cozy relationships to get results. They’ll rely on legal skills and hard work.
Lack of Experience
Make sure any lawyer you consider has significant experience with cases like yours. If they’ve never handled this type of crime before or have lost most similar cases they’ve worked on, keep looking. Your freedom is on the line so you want someone who knows what they’re doing.
Poor Communication
A good lawyer will return calls and emails promptly and keep you updated on your case regularly. If you have trouble getting ahold of your attorney or feel like they’re ignoring you, it might be time to make a switch. You deserve better.
Confusing Bills
I don’t expect lawyers to work for free, but I do expect clear invoices. If you can’t understand the billing, ask them to explain each charge in detail. Don’t get stuck paying for random add-ons you didn’t agree to.
How Other Lawyers View Them
Pay attention to how judges and prosecutors treat your lawyer. If they don’t seem to respect them, it could hurt your case. You want an attorney other legal pros take seriously.
Okay, those are some red flags I learned to watch out for the hard way. I don’t want you to get stuck with a bad lawyer like I did at first. Take your time and really vet anyone you might hire. Your future depends on it. Let me know if you have any other questions!