If you have a sexual assault case filed against you or if you are a sexual assault victim and are still on campus, then you will need to get the right legal representation. While you may get a state attorney as is required by law, if the case you have is weighty, then you will need to get your lawyer. If you have not used the services of a lawyer before, then there are a few things you will need to consider.
You need to get a lawyer that has specialized in dealing with assault cases. It would be pointless for you to settle for the first lawyer you get just because they have a law degree. Sexual assault cases can get very complicated, and you may end up with a wrong conviction if you do not have a lawyer who knows how to handle them. Take your time and do your research on the lawyers in your area and what they have specified in and the experience they have in the field before you settle on them. You can also look for evidence on how they defended their previous clients in court and what the ruling was in order or you to know if your case will be well handled. Other than just being able to handle assault cases, the lawyer you choose should have dealt with cases of assault on campuses as they will know how to best go about these cases.
The years of experience a lawyer has will come to play a significant role in whether or not they will be able to handle your case effectively. A new lawyer who is just started may not have what it takes to get your case ruled to your favor, and this is not something you want to happen. If you go for a lawyer, who has the experience, you not only have the assurance of winning the case, but you can also look them up and see if they have any issues or lawsuits filed against them for misconduct. This way, you avoid a lawyer who has problems.
A good lawyer is one who takes responsibly over your case and does their investigation. Be wary of a lawyer who is in a hurry to close a case and insist on you to settle to whatever pleas are being given when you know you deserve to get a fair hearing and ruling. Such lawyers can go behind your back and decide on a deal that you are not comfortable with. A good layer should be able to advise you on the course to take but also listen to what you want done and do their best to get you the justice you need.
The cost of getting a lawyer is not cheap, so keep this in mind. There are different fees you will need to pay, so have a good amount of money with you. You should, however, avoid going to lawyers who ask for extra pay with the promise of getting you the ruling you want as this is an offense.