Top Five Things To Look For When Hiring A Lawyer

Believe it or not, a simple traffic offense like speeding, running a stop sign, or illegal parking can cost you a lot more than just a small fine. A traffic misdemeanor can affect points on your license, lead to increased insurance rates, license suspension and even jail time depending on the gravity of the offense.

To help you avoid a conviction or a penalty, it’s essential to consider hiring an experienced lawyer to argue your case. A lawyer will hear you out, get the facts, and evidence needed to form a legal position that has your best interests in mind. Depending on the case and evidence collected they can get the judge to lower your fine, and even get the case dismissed.

If you’re looking for a legal representation to fight traffic tickets, MTO charges or any provincial offenses, it imperative that you hire a strong legal defense. However, with numerous options available, finding an attorney who you trust can be challenging. To simplify your search, we've compiled a list of top five things to look for when hiring a lawyer.

1. Active listener.
Details are everything and the representative you select must listen to what you are telling them, to effectively advise and prepare a suitable defense or solution to your problem. Chances are if they are not listening, they are preparing their defense, not yours. If they are constantly talking over you, they could miss out on something important that may make or break your case.

2. Knowledgeable.
The representative must have the knowledge required to understand the law and its implications as it applies to your circumstance. Your defense is only as good as the lawyer or paralegal who is advocating on your behalf. Ask questions; you will get an idea of their ability and experience by simply engaging in a conversation.

3. Price.
The legal fees a lawyer or paralegal charges vary significantly in the industry. You can’t judge the professional on price alone. The best does not always charge the most and vice-versa. Price should not be the determining factor in who you choose to represent you. Price is almost always negotiable, but don’t get too hung up on a lawyer who stands firm on his or her price.

He/she knows what is involved and how long the matter will usually take to complete, so if they stand firm on the price, it will more likely avoid any surprise charges at the end. After all, you are looking for a strong representative.

4. Location.
Is the lawyer or paralegal local to the jurisdiction where the matter will be heard? It is essential that the agent has a reputation in the court that he or she will be appearing. They will know the prosecutors, judges, and justices of the peace. They can reliably advise you on all the possible outcomes and resolutions that are available and the likelihood of any of them. Reputation matters, so if your lawyer does not know the players, it will almost always end up in delays and possible negative outcomes including higher costs.

5. Trust.
Communication is key, and during your legal process, you and your lawyer are a team that must work together, it cannot be a one-sided affair. Your lawyer knows what he/she can do, and you know what you want, if you work together you will usually end up where you need to be. If you can’t trust your representative, it might be in your best interests to end it there, as it may affect your case. Trust is a two-way street as you trust them to get you the best possible result and your representative trusts you to give the information required to get there.

If you’re looking for traffic ticket paralegal services across Ontario, reach out to Legaleze Paralegal. We are committed to protect your rights and provide you with a strong legal defense. Whether it’s a traffic ticket, MTO charges or any provincial offenses, we defend your interests with the utmost professionalism and respect.

To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. To get in touch with us, please click here.