How to Hire a Criminal Lawyer

When you need a lawyer, there is a lot to think about. Not only do you have the stress of legal issues and needing legal aid, but you also have to worry about hiring a lawyer that can properly help you. Here are a few suggestions on how to hire criminal lawyers in Dauphin County.

The first thing to think about is what kind of lawyer you need. Criminal lawyers help those who are accused of a crime. They can explain the trial process in detail and represent you and your interests to the court. At the very least, they can advise you of your specific options as they relate to your case. Hiring someone you trust can be instrumental in your confidence level.

Sometimes, criminal lawyers only concentrate on specific areas of defense. For example, some only focus on violent crime cases. However, all criminal lawyers should be able to assist you or direct you to someone else who can assist you.

When you are looking at criminal lawyers, there are several characteristics you should look for. The lawyer should be good at communicating with you, the prosecution, the judge and other relevant parties. The lawyer should also have a good track record, plenty of experience and be good at negotiating.

Take the time to talk to several criminal lawyers if you can. Meet with him or her in person, and ask plenty of questions, especially about their experience handling cases like yours. Make sure you do some research too. Make sure he or she legally able to practice law and a member of the state or county bar associations.

For more information on criminal lawyers in Dauphin County, call the Dauphin County Bar Association at 717-232-7536 or Contact Us.

Why Mediation?

Mediation in Harrisburg has many perks that can benefit both parties. Here are a few reasons you should consider mediation when you have a legal conflict that needs to be resolved in a timely manner.

Mediation is usually less expensive than going to court. And if you are in a hurry to get the dispute resolved, that is all the more reason to consider mediation. You can get a decision in a much faster manner than you would if you filed a lawsuit that needed to be heard in the court system.

When you can sit and discuss your point of view and then listen to the other person’s side of things, both parties are more likely to be happy with the final outcome. Mediation gives both parties a chance to speak and voice their side of the dispute. Clear and open communication generally means both sides can come to a better understanding of the argument. Issues that are not directly related to the legalities of the situation can also be addressed, such as procedural issues. Not to mention, mediation results in a higher rate of compliance with the final decision.

Mediation also leads to a more amicable resolution, which can help preserve relationships – personal and professional. Or, the reverse, the termination of relationships can also end up being more amicable when resolved through mediation.

There are more nuances when you use mediation for conflict resolution. This means the resolution often is not black or white, yes or no. Mediation allows for subtle nuances that cannot be given through the standard legal system. It also allows for more empowerment. If a person can negotiate his or her own settlement, that person may feel like they have had more influence over the final outcome.

For more information about mediation in Harrisburg, call the Dauphin County Bar Association at 717-232-7536.

What Do Bar Associations Do?

“[To] promote and maintain the Practice of Law as a profession, that is, as a learned art pursued in the spirit of a public service—in the spirit of a service of furthering the administration of justice through and according to law.”

—Roscoe Pound, dean of Harvard Law School from 1916 to 1936

There are many different roles and functions of a bar association. In Dauphin County, for example, there is our organization: the aptly-named Dauphin County Bar Association. But what purpose does our bar association serve, and how do we help the average citizen and the attorneys who are part of our group?

A bar association promotes public service among its members. It will encourage them to participate in charity events, such as fundraisers, and it will also encourage them to do pro bono (free) work for citizens who are in need of legal representation but cannot afford to pay attorney’s fees.

A bar association will also offer continuing education courses for attorneys, generally in the form of seminars or publications. These classes or published works will keep lawyers up-to-date on the latest in legal developments and the law, so lawyers can be sure to stay on top of what has changed.

Yet another function of a bar association is to encourage ethical behavior and to set the standards for this behavior. That way, citizens can be assured that a lawyer they hire is being held to high expectations when it comes to behavior and how that citizen will be treated by his or her attorney.

Most people are familiar with the American Bar Association and/or the Federal Bar Association, but these organizations also exist on a state and local level. A bar association can usually be found at law schools too.

For more information about the Dauphin County Bar Association, call us at 717-232-7536 or Browse Our Website.

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How the Lawyer Referral Service Works

Dauphin County Bar Association can help you when you need a lawyer. We offer free assistance if you call the Lawyer Referral Service. Pennsylvania residents can take advantage of this benefit any time they are in need of an attorney.

You can call our lawyer referral service Monday through Friday in the morning and afternoon hours, and we can refer you to a lawyer. Basically, you tell us about your situation and what you need a lawyer for. We can put you in touch with one of the lawyers on our list who have agreed to assist individuals who need help. The lawyers who participate specify what areas they specialize in.

We don’t have anything to do with fee arrangements, but you can rest assured that these lawyers are among the best in the area at what they do.

A lawyer referral service is a great benefit for anyone who needs legal help, especially if that person is unsure of the first step to take when contacting and hiring an attorney. You can be sure that the lawyer you are referred to through the lawyer referral service is an expert on whatever legal area you need help in. For example, if you are going through a divorce and need someone to represent you, you don’t want to contact a lawyer who specializes in environmental law. That would be like going to a brain surgeon when you need to have heart surgery.

Plus, when you have a pressing legal matter that needs resolved as soon as possible, going to a lawyer referral service is a great way to alleviate some of that stress. Being able to call in and simply ask for a few names and phone numbers is an easy way to get in touch with someone who can help you with your legal issues.

Call the Dauphin County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service at 717-232-7536 for more information.

Pro Bono Lawyers: The Law and You

When you’re searching for pro bono lawyers in Harrisburg, there are several things you should keep in mind. We here at Dauphin County Bar Association have a few suggestions on how to find good pro bono lawyers.

One of the best and most obvious ways to find one is to simply call the lawyer’s office and ask if they have any pro bono lawyers available. But keep this in mind: you don’t necessarily want to call the most expensive and best law firm in town because they are probably the most popular one in the area. For pro bono lawyers, you might consider a recent law school graduate who might be looking for more experience and for cases to help build his or her resume.

Younger pro bono lawyers will probably have more time to devote to you and your case. They will also probably be more enthusiastic about your case and helping you win it (remember – winning your case benefits them too!). Young pro bono lawyers will welcome the change to gain some more experience in the courtroom.

When you approach pro bono lawyers about taking your case, also remember that they will be doing you a favor. They will be doing work for you for free. And most of the time, this type of work is very time-consuming. So the old adage rings true: you get more with sugar than you do with vinegar. Be polite in your requests and try to be a good client. Be honest about your case and what happened. Keep in mind that pro bono lawyers’ time is valuable and that they are helping you out of the goodness of their hearts. Help them out whenever you can and be appreciative of what they are doing for you.

For more information on pro bono lawyers, contact the Dauphin County Bar Association at 717-232-7536.