Caveat Emptor...
“Let the Buyer Beware”
Life can be hectic. Unanticipated problems are never ending. Your budget is naturally an important concern and your time is precious.
It can be tempting to take a shortcut in an effort to quickly and inexpensively resolve a problem that has been thrown your way. But, sometimes it just doesn’t make good sense to seek a solution that is “cut-rate.” By foregoing the necessary research required to properly select the right person for the job, you can set yourself up for a serious case of “buyer’s remorse” Consider the following examples:
-
How prudent would it be to select a cosmetic surgeon by calling each doctor in the yellow pages and inquiring which physician offered the cheapest fee to perform the medical operation? Because you failed to take the time to examine the surgeon’s reputation, you might be be forced to spend a lifetime reflecting on the results of your cosmetic surgery.
-
In the rush to have your hair cut and colored for your upcoming wedding, would your confidence be shattered to suddenly learn that the stylist you had selected based on her immediate availability and seemingly attractive price had only just graduated from cosmetology school?
-
If you owned a successful business, would it be wise to hire a new employee without first conducting a personal interview and doing a background check?
-
Imagine the futility and waste of time if you phoned your local Ford dealer’s service department and inquired about the source of your car’s engine malfunction and the anticipated cost of repair without ever making the car available to actually be inspected by a mechanic. Accurately diagnosing the problem over the phone would be impossible and quoting a repair amount would, at best, be just a guess on the mechanic’s part.
You Only Get What You Pay For
When you are facing a criminal charge, your freedom and reputation are at stake. Despite the seriousness of the problem, our staff never ceases to be amazed at the number of people who call our office “window shopping” for a price. Although a higher fee does not necessarily guarantee a more qualified attorney, a “rock bottom” fee could be a red flag that signals there will be minimal effort exerted in your defense, a lack of experience, or, at worst, outright incompetence.
Everyone has heard the saying “You only get what you pay for.” But there is a more encompassing axiom that is credited to Aldo Gucci who founded the famous Italian fashion and leather goods brand. Gucci said it best:
“The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory.”
Criminal Defense Attorney Horror Stories
The lawyers in our office appear on a daily basis in the Pinellas county criminal courts. As a result, they are in a unique position to observe other attorneys, who represent a wide spectrum of talent and experience. Consider the following observations. Remember that had these unfortunate clients done their “due diligence” by attending an initial consultation when selecting their lawyer, they could have avoided anxiety, incompetence, and the bitter taste that accompanies poor quality legal representation.
-
A client who meets with her cut-rate lawyer for the first time outside the courtroom, only to find that the attorney is dressed in a wrinkled shirt, loosely worn tie, unbuttoned collar and a shabby coat. Imagine the stress and concern that flows from the “meet and greet plea” routinely employed the bargain-priced lawyer. The practice of having the client resolve his case at the first court meeting without benefit of investigation and preparation has already been the subject of much criticism by the Florida Supreme Court;
-
Clients who discovered that the reason their attorney had arranged to meet them in the courthouse law library was not motivated by convenience, but because the attorney lacked a legitimate law office and was using the library and his cell phone as the “base of operations” for his entire law practice;
-
Prior to the judge taking the bench, uncomfortable clients have routinely been observed watching their “out of town” lawyers frantically seeking the advice and guidance from local Pinellas county practitioners. The out of town attorneys are completely “out of touch” with the judge’s regular customs and practices that are otherwise well known to lawyers who who regularly appear in that Pinellas County courtroom;
-
Clients who observe their inexperienced lawyer in the courtroom fumbling to negotiate an eleventh hour deal with the prosecutor. Such pleas for leniency often take place while the court proceedings are simultaneously in session, when they should have occurred well in advance of the court date. Not only is this an extremely ineffective way to achieve the best results, but it creates an obvious lack of confidence and uncertainty on the part of the client.
Meet With the Lawyer Before You Make a Hiring Decision
Meeting face to face with a prospective attorney in his law office is critical. It is a far superior course of action then “shopping by phone.” Initial consultations are typically free of charge and they will give you the opportunity to discuss the facts of your case and learn your options. More importantly, you will gain valuable insight that could have otherwise avoided the horror stories found in this article. Here are some insider tips:
1. Don’t be afraid to Interview the lawyer: If you find the attorney pushy or intimidating, you should immediately identify him as a poor candidate for the job. After all, an effective attorney-client relationship is one that acts in concert as a partnership. If the attorney seems to be more interested in getting a fee than helping you with your legal problem, head for the door. Likewise, your antenna should go up if the lawyer appears to be simply telling you what you want to hear in an effort to “shoot the lock off of your wallet.” It would be far wiser to choose a lawyer who points out that the prosecutor and/or judge will need to be persuaded by his proposed strategy, then an attorney who “guarantees” a certain result. Remember... the best lawyer is one who tends to under promise and over deliver.
2. Scope Out the Lawyer’s Office: You can gain some real insight about a lawyer by looking at his workplace. Is the office a professional environment? Or does it bear evidence that the attorney’s real interests lie elsewhere? For example, is there an overabundance of photos and paintings associated with outside interests. It could be that the lawyer lacks a genuine passion for defending clients if he surrounds himself with memorabilia connected to golf, professional sports, or fishing.
When you attend your initial consultation, keep a sharp lookout. Does the law office appear disorganized and in disarray? Are client files scattered on the floor or on desktops? Ask yourself “Is my file going to end up abandoned on the floor along with everyone else?”
In the alternative, did your consultation with the prospective lawyer take place in an office setting designed to maximize communication and to put you at ease? Did the support staff prove to be friendly, knowledgeable and helpful? Was the overall law office operation orderly, efficient and well run? If that was the case, then it is more likely that this lawyer can be counted on to handle your legal affairs in a similar appropriate fashion.
We Only Handle Pinellas County Criminal Cases
We represents clients facing criminal charges arising out of Pinellas county, Florida. Our law practice is rather unique from the perspective that we are the only local private criminal defense attorneys who find it unnecessary to do business in neighboring counties. It has been our experience that other lawyers practicing criminal defense in Pinellas county, routinely stretch their law practice into the neighboring counties of Hillsborough, Pasco, Sarasota and Manatee. We don’t handle cases in these other counties and the three former state prosecutors in our office don’t handle any other types of cases other than criminal charges. By dealing with the same prosecutors daily and routinely appearing in front of the same judges, we have developed an excellent understanding of the players and the way the system works in Pinellas County. When you hire us, we put that experience to work for you.
Play it Safe... Let’s Meet to Discuss Your Primary Objective
We find it counter productive and against our clients best interests to haphazardly quote a legal fee over the phone without the benefit of meeting with the individual and thoroughly exploring the facts and circumstances of their case. Clients need to feel comfortable and confident that they are making the right decision when they choose a lawyer to represent them. This is best accomplished only through a consultation at our office. If you limit your inquiry to speaking to a lawyer over the phone, you could be missing out on some important information that could greatly affect your hiring decision. The consultation is free. Meet with us today!
At Russo & Russo, we are Pinellas county criminal defense attorneys who feel strongly that both sides benefit when an initial consultation is conducted in person.
Free Consultation: 727-578-0303
Possible Criminal Defense Solutions: www.defensehelp.com
Pinellas DUI Arrest: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com
Related Links
Questions for a Criminal Defense Lawyer During Your Initial Consult
How Judges & Lawyers Rate Our Work on Behalf of Clients
Ask Those That Know Us About Our Work Ethic
Private Attorney vs Public Defender – Learn the Difference
Visit our Prescription Fraud Website
Visit our Personal Injury Website
Visit our Social Security Disability Website
Technorati Tags: Pinellas,criminal defense attorneys,lawyer,price,legal fee,charges,courts,client,reputation,meet and greet pleas,public defenders,Florida,judge,hiring,shopping by phone,legal problem,prosecutors,office,free,consultation,represent
Comments