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5 Qualities To Look For In A Lawyer in Erie, Pennsylvania

As hard as we try to avoid getting in trouble with the law, there are simply moments in life where we experience a lack of good judgment or become a victim to someone else’s lack of good judgment. Whether you are facing certain allegations, a DUI case, or other cases ranging from petty crimes to more serious legal issues, one thing is for sure: you need the right lawyer to help you untangle this legal mess you’re in.

This is true for people who reside in Erie, Pennsylvania. 

Last year, there were 515 cases of DUI or Driving Under Influence on Independence Day Weekend alone which spans 4 days. That’s almost 128 cases per day of people drunk driving, some of which have led to fatal crashes. In 2023, this number decreased but not by much. There were still 505 recorded DUI cases during the same holiday which lasted 5 days this time around (see reference). While it’s definitely some improvement, it’s a matter of fact that people tend to get in trouble when they’re out and about having too much of a good time.

5 Qualities To Look For In A Lawyer in Erie, Pennsylvania

Although Erie is considered to be safer compared to 16% of U.S. neighborhoods, fact remains that crime happens within the city’s borders too. So, whether you’re the plaintiff or the defendant, you need a highly capable lawyer to help you resolve your case. 

There are many law firms in the city, so we understand how it might be a little confusing to choose which one to turn to in times of need – especially if you don’t really frequent the legal court in the first place. Facing legal charges can be very stressful and nerve-wracking, so the last thing you need is to feel anxious about the person representing you in court. 

To help you find the right representative, we’ve listed some of the most important qualities you should look for in a lawyer:

Objective

Apart from being knowledgeable about the law and your case specifically (as that should be given before you go into talks with any lawyer), a good lawyer should be objective and impartial. This is especially true if you are the one who is on the receiving end of the legal case, otherwise known as the defendant. The right representative should remain objective in deliberating the events, situations, and evidence relevant to the case, and discern what would be the best way to help you – whether that means paying a fine, accepting a plea deal, or going to court to fight for your case. 

Having a good lawyer doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll win your case no matter what, especially when you are at fault. It means helping you find the best possible way to deal with your case legally that would give you the best outcomes. 

Great Work Ethic

Another quality that you should look for is a great work ethic. A good lawyer in Erie PA is consistent through and through and it is evident in everything they do. They take each case seriously and use every resource they have to help you resolve the legal issues you are involved in. It’s so easy for some legal professionals to charge you with extremely high rates only to take on your case half-heartedly and not care about the outcome. Look for someone who shows up 100% for the job and has a good track record to prove it.

5 Qualities To Look For In A Lawyer in Erie, Pennsylvania

Trustworthy

Needless to say, your legal representative will have access to a lot of sensitive information about you and about your life. You will likely have to reveal it all and be as transparent as possible about the case if you want to increase your chances of lifting any heavy penalties or repercussions the case will have in your everyday life. Thus, you need someone you can fully trust to handle your personal data and information with great care and caution.

If it’s your first time working with a lawyer (or this specific lawyer), it would be hard to say whether they are someone trustworthy or not. The best you can do is to rely on the feedback previous clients have left through online reviews or ask other residents in Erie that have worked with this lawyer whom you might know. Also, read this: https://www.lawyer-monthly.com/2023/05/how-to-know-a-lawyer-is-legitimate/.

Great Communication

Next, a good lawyer is a great communicator. You wouldn’t even need to ask or constantly check in for case updates, they would keep you looped in as much as possible. Communication is a very important factor if you want to resolve your case fast and efficiently. And if your lawyer exhibits this type of quality, you have to make sure that you reciprocate as well by maintaining good communication with them at all times. After all, this all starts and ends with you and you will be the one benefiting the most if the case ends sooner than later and on a favorable note. 

Genuine

Last but not least, hire someone who genuinely wants to help you with your case. At the end of the day, being a lawyer is a job like no other but there are those who take their duty as a legal professional sincerely. They genuinely want to help people out in tough situations and achieve an outcome that is fair to all. Work with a lawyer who is not only concerned about how much they’ll make from your case, but those that can genuinely empathize with your situation and provide you with the help and guidance that you need.

All in all, there are a lot of capable legal professionals in Erie, Pennsylvania that can help you bring a case to court or defend yourself from one. What sets them all apart from each other, however, is the way they work and the values they uphold. Make sure that when you look for someone to work on your case, you focus on finding someone whose values align with yours. This way, you can feel at ease knowing that you are in the hands of someone who is capable, knowledgeable, and worthy of trust.

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