Answer:

 

You should consider the following before making a decision to hire a lawyer:

 

1. How much courtroom experience does the lawyer actually have? Ask them how many cases of your type they have personally handled in the last few years. Also, ask them how often they go to court. Knowing how the different courts work is crucial to getting good results.

 

2. Make sure the lawyer practices in the right field of law. If you have a DUI case, you need a DUI lawyer, not a family lawyer. Just because a lawyer is "licensed" does not mean they know how to handle your case.

 

3. Don't believe the hype on the websites. Many lawyers are very good at marketing but actually spend very little time in court and have limited experience. Make sure the lawyer you meet with actually goes to court and is not just going to hand your case over to one of their employees. Find out how many cases they actually handle themselves and make sure they will be going to court with you.

 

4. How long has the lawyer been practicing in a particular field? While there is nothing wrong with newer lawyers, there is also no substitute for experience. If something unexpected happens in a case, the lawyer needs to know how to deal with it.

 

5. Does the lawyer over-promise results just to get your money? When you meet with a lawyer, make sure they are not just telling you what you want to hear. Unfortunately, some lawyers will say anything to get your money and then tell you the truth at the end of the case. An honest lawyer should tell you the good and the bad about your case the first time you meet with them. There is no such thing as a "slam dunk" case or legal issue.

 

6.Where has the lawyer worked and where did they go to school? It is important to know your lawyer's employment history and level of education. When you work at different offices, you gain experience and connections in the legal community. Knowing what schools the lawyer attended can tell you a lot about the quality of their legal education. You should look to see if the lawyer attended an accredited law school.

 

6. Ask around. If you know a former client, a lawyer, or a judge, ask them about the lawyer's reputation. A lawyer with a bad reputation could mean a lot of trouble for your case. A good reputation is something lawyers earn after years of providing clients with professional and successful representation.

 

 

 

 

SCOTT C. SILVA, ESQ.

 

 

Licensed Attorney with the State Bar of Arizona since July, 1997.

 

Admitted, U.S. District Court of Arizona.

 

Duke University, B.A.; University of Arizona College of Law, J.D.

 

Has successfully handled over 3000 cases, including homicide.

 

Has handled over 1000 DUI cases (these cases were personally handled by Mr. Silva, not by associates or partners). Has won DUI jury trials in every type of DUI case, including Drug DUI cases and Super Extreme DUI cases.

 

Counsel of record in over 400 bench and jury trials.

 

Substantial jury trial experience (including capital murder, major felonies, all types of DUI cases, and misdemeanors).

 

Experienced in handling high profile cases covered by national news, and was a featured attorney on the ABC television show State V. where he represented a young woman charged with first-degree murder.

 

Has published criminal law and DUI law articles that have been used to train defense attorneys (Samples: Article #1, Article #2)

 

Immense courtroom experience in Maricopa County Superior Court, in the Justice Courts, and in City Courts, such as Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, El Mirage, Surprise, Youngtown, Peoria, and Glendale, Arizona.

 

Prior employment includes positions as a law clerk with three different government agencies, a Deputy Public Defender, an Associate Attorney at a criminal defense law firm, and a full Partner at a criminal defense law firm.

 

Has previously performed legal work for the City of Phoenix, the City of Scottsdale, the City of El Mirage, the Pima County Public Defender's Office, the Southern Arizona Legal Aid Society, the Arizona State Attorney General's Office, the United State's Attorney's Office, and the Maricopa County Public Defender's Office.

 

Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

 

Member, Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice.