The next step is contacting the lawyer's office. If an attorney cannot meet with you on short notice, don't count the lawyer out. Effective lawyers are quite busy, so, if a lawyer is short on time, that may actually be a positive sign. Pay close attention to how your call is handled by the lawyer's staff. The staff should be courteous and be willing to answer all of your questions.

You should be aware of the fact that criminal defense lawyers tend to charge by the hour. As an alternative, they may charge a flat fee up front. Generally speaking, rules of professional conduct bar a lawyer from charging a contingency fee for a criminal case. Since legal fees can vary, you might want to engage in some comparison shopping. However, be advised that the better lawyers tend to charge more for their services. Since your freedom and reputation are at stake, you should invest in the best lawyer you can afford.

Given the fact that criminal cases are often settled through plea agreements with a district attorney's office, it can be important for a criminal lawyer to be on good terms with the D.A. Certainly, good relations between the two can only enhance your case. Therefore, you'll want a lawyer who has fairly regular contact with the prosecuting attorney in the county in which your case resides. Also, it's a good idea if you hire a lawyer who is affiliated with a group such as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Such an association shows that your lawyer wants to keep abreast of new developments in the area of criminal law.