How can Illawarians identify the best criminal lawyers in Wollongong? Photo: David Gyung.
Dealing with the legal system is stressful at the best of times, even more so when you have to defend yourself. A criminal law matter may be minor, with lesser consequences or quite serious, with consequences that can be life-changing. For matters big and small, it is always best to find quality representation with a firm and a lawyer who understands the law and your case specifically.
Finding a lawyer who will fight for your interests is paramount to understanding your options in any legal matter. A matter may not necessarily have to go to court, there are often ways to solve issues without the costly process of going through the courts but without a lawyer, these sorts of solutions are hard to understand and implement.
But how do you find and then pick a lawyer to represent you, when there are so many to choose from? It takes a variety of factors and decisions to weigh up who to pick and why. Expertise, experience, transparency, sensitivity and accessibility all matter greatly when picking a lawyer.
In this article, we’ll share the qualities that differentiate law firms and list the best law firms in Wollongong.
What makes a great lawyer?
When dealing with the law and working through legal proceedings, there is absolutely no room for error. Bad advice or the wrong decision from an ill-equipped lawyer can leave you in a pretty nasty situation.
So, what exactly should you look for in a great law firm? Here are a few of the traits we believe all the best lawyers in Wollongong have.
- Experience. The more experience a lawyer has, the more likely they are to help you achieve the best possible outcome. Inexperienced lawyers are more prone to making mistakes, which can be costly, this is why it’s best to pick a lawyer with a proven track record.
- Honesty. There’s no point working with a lawyer who will promise you the world, get your hopes up, and then underdeliver. You want a lawyer who will be 100 per cent honest with you about your situation and the realistic outcomes you can achieve. Realism and honesty are key to charting a path through your issue.
- Prompt. If it’s legal advice you’re looking for, you don’t want to be waiting weeks on end for your lawyer to get back to you. Keep in mind that lawyers often charge by the hour. The longer they take to get your affairs in order, the more you’ll end up paying. Find someone who respects your time and your money.
- Specialist knowledge. If you need help with a particular field of law, it can be a wise idea to get help from a lawyer who specialises in that area. Specialist lawyers know their legal area back to front and may be able to provide advice that generalist lawyers cannot.
- Understanding. During some of the toughest times in our lives, we need legal help. Especially during cases of criminal law, it’s best to find someone who understands your situation and who takes into account your needs as a client.
The best criminal lawyers in Wollongong
Region Illawarra has combed through online reviews and recommendations to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best in Wollongong series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Region Illawarra and Facebook as well as maintained a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
For information regarding the best law firms in Wollongong, read our article.
While information on professional services in Wollongong can be found on the best mortgage brokers, insurance brokers and property managers Wollongong has to offer.
Your experience with criminal lawyers in Wollongong
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Do you have experience with any of the Wollongong criminal lawyers listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the duties of a criminal lawyer?
Lawyers aren't just called upon for representation in court - their responsibilities actually start way before this point, and include so much more. Lawyers provide you with legal advice for your particular matter and when it comes to criminal law, it's vital that lawyer understands the charge, the consequences and the solutions.
Why do I need a lawyer?
Law is complex and the fact is it's a hard subject to understand even without the stress of possibly facing penalties or punishment. A good lawyer will help you understand the situation you're in and navigate the best way through the matter. Representing yourself in court is never a good idea, stick with the pros.
What are the qualifications of a lawyer?
In Australia, lawyers gain their qualifications by graduation with a Bachelor of Law and completing several years of practical training in the field, and successfully gaining a Practicing Certificate. This ensures that all qualified lawyers not only know the law when they enter the workforce, but also come armed with years of experience before they've even officially served as a lawyer.
How do I choose a lawyer that's right for me?
The best way to choose a law firm that suits your needs is to do your research. Look at what previous clients have said about the law firms in Wollongong, and see which ones align closest to your needs as some lawyers and firms specialise in particular issues such as drunk driving.
Can I engage more than one law firm?
Absolutely. You may be engaged in more than one legal dispute, and need legal advice from specialists. If your law firm doesn't already have a specialist lawyer for your relevant case, it might be worth looking around for somewhere that does.
