Choosing the Right Felony Criminal Defense Attorney in Arizona

Key Takeaways

• Experienced felony trial attorneys earn their reputations through years of difficult, hard-fought trials in the courtroom
• An attorney’s reputation with the State affects how seriously prosecutors take that attorney’s plea negotiations
• Ask how many serious felony cases an attorney has tried, including cases with life sentences on the line
• Interview at least three attorneys and do not let anyone pressure you into hiring before you feel comfortable
• Free consultations should let you meet the team who will work on your case, not an intake representative

One of the defining characteristics of an experienced felony criminal defense trial attorney is resilience. Those of us who spend our days in court, preparing cases, challenging evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, and trying serious felony cases know one another, and we know who has spent years in the courtroom earning their experience through decades of difficult, hard-fought trials.

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Trial Experience and Your Attorney’s Reputation With the State

Advertisements and websites can show you an attorney who promises to fight for their clients’ rights, but they rarely show you how much actual felony trial experience that attorney has. When I don’t recognize an attorney from the courthouse, with my nearly thirty years of practice in Maricopa County, I can’t help but wonder whether the prosecutors recognize them either, and what kind of reputation they have established with the State. If an attorney has a reputation for never taking cases to trial, how seriously is the prosecution going to take their plea negotiations? Why would the State be concerned about facing an attorney in front of a jury when experience has taught them that attorney is never going to get there?

This raises an important question that new clients might not know they should ask:

• How many serious felony cases have they actually taken to trial?
• Have they represented clients facing life in prison?
• Have they handled cases involving multiple victims or co-defendants?
• Have they tried cases where the consequences could not be higher?

Take Your Time Before You Hire

Choosing an attorney is an important decision, and it shouldn’t be rushed. I encourage anyone considering private representation to interview at least three attorneys before making that decision. Take a few days to consider your options when circumstances permit, involve your family in the decision if you wish, and don’t allow yourself to be pressured into hiring someone before you feel comfortable. The attorney you choose may be walking alongside you through one of the most difficult experiences of your life.

If you have been assigned a public defender, I encourage you to meet with them and give them an opportunity to represent you. Some of the finest trial attorneys I have known are public defenders, and their experience and dedication should never be underestimated.

Contact a Scottsdale Criminal Defense Attorney

Free case consultation Call us (602)-237-5373

Meet the Team That Will Handle Your Case

At Hallam Law Group, consultations are always free. We believe that prospective clients should have the opportunity to meet with an attorney, ask questions, and determine whether that attorney is the right fit without paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for the privilege. And whether your consultation is over the phone, in person, or at the jail, you have the opportunity to meet the team who will be working on your case. Not an uninvolved intake representative.

An experienced criminal defense attorney should be willing to discuss the law, explain the allegations against you, answer your questions, and take the time to understand who you are as a person. Your background, your experiences, your concerns, and your fears all matter, and you should never feel as though you’re simply another case file sitting on someone’s desk. You and your attorney should work as a team, with a shared understanding of your case and confidence in the decisions being made along the way. You deserve to be informed, respected, and supported throughout the process.

Contact a Scottsdale Criminal Defense Attorney

Free case consultation Call us (602)-237-5373

Representation Built on Dignity and Respect

If you choose to hire private counsel, select an attorney who:

• Represents you in the manner you want to be represented
• Explains the legal process as many times as necessary
• Makes themselves available to you
• Understands that while criminal cases may be part of our everyday work, for our clients and their families, the experience is anything but ordinary

Hallam Law Group, P.L.L.C. was founded on the belief that people facing criminal charges deserve experienced trial representation delivered with patience, kindness, and compassion.

Sister Helen Prejean said, “People are worth more than the worst thing they’ve ever done.” No matter what a person stands accused of, our attorneys believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and an open mind and heart. We understand what is at stake, and we are committed to protecting our clients’ rights while treating them as people, not simply as criminal defendants.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Hallam Law Group offers free consultations, typically lasting one to two hours, because we believe choosing the right attorney begins with an honest conversation. To schedule an in-person appointment or telephone consultation and meet the team who will be working on your case, not an uninvolved intake representative, call (602) 237-5373.

Contact a Scottsdale Criminal Defense Attorney

Free case consultation Call us (602)-237-5373

Josephine Hallam

Ms. Hallam’s family has a deep-rooted legacy in the law, and she was raised with a respect and reverence for our legal system and our Constitution. Ms. Hallam dedicated the first part of her career as an attorney to public service. She was incredibly proud to work with attorneys at the Maricopa County Public Defender’s office who tirelessly advocated on behalf of indigent clients. She is now a proud criminal defense lawyer in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Years Of Experience: 27
Justia Profile: Josephine Hallam
Bar Number: 018557
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Free case consultation Call us (602) 237-5373