At some point in our lives, most of us will end up needing to hire a lawyer. Whether it’s for a divorce case, a custody battle or settling an estate, you’ll may need to find an experienced civil or criminal attorney.
The first step is figuring out what kind of lawyer you need. Some lawyers handle bankruptcy, taxes and others defend more criminal acts. They are split into two different categories, civil and criminal law. No matter what type of lawyer you need, you’ll want to make sure you hire the best lawyer to support your case. Selecting a civil lawyer vs. a criminal lawyer is not difficult, you just need to understand the difference.
CRIMINAL LAW VS. CIVIL LAW
Criminal Law involves the government deciding a certain punishment of a person for their crime or “act or omission.” On the other hand, Civil Law handles legal matters between private citizens.
WHEN TO HIRE A CIVIL ATTORNEY
According to the American Bar Association, a civil attorney is also called a litigator. In many cases a litigator will be hired to recover property or money.
Civil lawyers can specialize in the following areas of law:
- Employment
- Finance
- Family
- Landlord/Tenant
- Immigration
- Personal Injury
The types of cases an attorney will take will vary as they tend to specialize in certain areas. Most likely, a family lawyer will handle divorce, custody issues, separation of assets and property. Personal injury lawyers will handle cases with product liability, slip and fall, parking lot accidents, truck and bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, or pedestrian accidents. Civil law attorneys can also handle government specific civil suits like unemployment hearings, denial of food stamps or social security, civil rights and discrimination.
WHEN TO HIRE A CRIMINAL ATTORNEY
There are times when unexpected things happen in life and you might find yourself facing criminal charges. These types of charges involve prosecution and an investigation for a crime. In this situation, you’ll want to hire an experienced Criminal Attorney to represent your case.
Common types of criminal charges include:
- Personal
- Financial
- Property
- Statutory
Personal crimes include some sort of physical actions like child abuse, assault, kidnapping, and rape. A financial crime includes embezzlement or money laundering. Property crimes include Burglary (unlawful entry to commit a felony or a theft), Larceny (theft) and vehicle theft. While Statutory crimes deal more with alcohol and drug offenses like driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI).
A Criminal case is more severe and could result in large fines and possibly prison time. If you are facing criminal charges, it’s important to hire legal representation as quickly as possible. You don’t have to do it alone-you have the right to seek help.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE HIRING A CRIMINAL LAWYER OR CIVIL LAWYER
It’s important to ask the right questions when you’re searching for a civil or criminal lawyer. The two most important things to know about your lawyer is their experience and cost. Some lawyers charge an hourly fee while others work on a contingency basis. This means they’ll pay for the case upfront and then when the case settles, they receive a percentage. It’s important to always ask how much a lawyer will charge, and what the total amount will be before signing any paperwork.
In addition to cost, it’s also important to ask about their success rate and how long they have been in practice. You want an experienced lawyer that knows what they are doing. This is especially important if your case is complicated and there is a chance you could serve a jail or prison sentence. If there are multiple people working on your case, you will also want to know who the contact person is-for questions or an emergency.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HIRING AN ATTORNEY
Most likely you’re probably not familiar with local and state laws, unless you’ve attended law school. When the time comes, it’s in your best interest to search for a qualified attorney. This will ensure your case is handled properly from the start to finish.
Benefits of hiring an attorney include:
- Save you time
- They can gather information
- Interview witnesses
- File reports, forms and submit needed documents
- Can answer questions
- Request medical records
- Help Negotiate terms
HIRE THE BEST CRIMINAL LAW ATTORNEY TODAY
When you find yourself needing legal representation, look to the attorneys at Larsen, Larsen, Nash & Larsen. Whether you need a civil attorney or criminal attorney, we can offer the legal help you need. We offer a vast array of services including criminal law, personal injury, estate planning and trusts. If you need to hire a criminal attorney in the Salt Lake City area, contact the law office of Larsen, Larsen, Nash & Larsen today at (801) 964-1200. Our legal team can offer solutions that will help you take control of your life. It’s time to take action! Call us today!
