Attorney for Criminal Defense Referrals in Philadelphia

It is common for attorneys to specialize in a particular area of the law, such as family law or real estate law. However, many clients will come to a trusted former or current lawyer with legal problems that are not necessarily within the lawyer’s field of expertise. That lawyer may wish to assist the client, but is just too busy with their own practice, or thinks the client would be better served by someone more knowledgeable. At this point, the lawyer may decide to make a referral to a different lawyer.

At The Law Offices of Lloyd Long, our experienced Philadelphia criminal defense attorneys accept referrals from lawyers throughout the city and the region. We have a proven track record of fighting to get your client’s charges downgraded or dismissed and to bring their criminal case to a positive resolution. For a free consultation, call our office today at (215) 302-0171.

Reasons a Philadelphia Lawyer May Look to Make a Referral

As noted above, the reason you may be looking to send your client elsewhere may be as simple as the fact that you do not have any experience with criminal law cases and thus are not comfortable handling this type of matter. However, there are other reasons you made need to make a referral. For example, you may run a conflict check and find that it would be a conflict of interest for you to represent the client in this matter. As such, you would refer them to a well-regarded attorney in the criminal defense field, like those at The Law Offices of Lloyd Long.

You may also be limited by geography. Perhaps you have a client who lives in New Jersey but gets arrested for driving drunk in the city of Philadelphia. If you are only licensed in New Jersey, you will not be able to represent you client on this matter unless you go through the process of being admitted. More likely, you will want to refer the matter to an attorney familiar with the Philadelphia courts.

How Our Philadelphia Firm Works to Get Clients Released on Bail

Before making a referral for a trusted client, you will likely want to be sure that you are putting them in good hands. After the client is arrested, the first stage at which they will need an attorney is during the bail process. They will be taken to the local police station for the booking process and kept in the holding cell until a preliminary arraignment can be scheduled.

At the preliminary arraignment, which is held via videoconference, the judge will decide whether to set bail and what amount at which to set it. It is important that your client have a lawyer at this point because one will not be provided to them for the purpose of this pivotal hearing. There are multiple types of bail the judge can decide to impose, including release on your own recognizance, or no bail. They can also choose to hold your client without bail if the crime of which they are accused is severe and they have a criminal history. Typically, especially in felony cases, cash bail will be imposed, and the client or a loved one will need to post it themselves or with the help of a bail bondsman in order to be released.

At The Law Offices of Lloyd Long, our attorneys understand the types of rhetoric that work best to convince each judge to release your client with minimal or no bail. Factors that the judges consider when deciding bail include the seriousness of the crime the individual is charged with, their criminal history, any history they have of failing to appear for court, and whether they are a potential flight risk. Our lawyers will craft the best possible argument based on these factors that your client should not be held in jail until the charges are resolved or required to post bail so high that it is essentially prohibitive for them.

How Our Philadelphia Firm Works to Resolve Criminal Cases

After we have worked to get the client released from jail, we will turn our attention to resolving the underlying criminal matter. There will be a formal arraignment where the charges against the client will be read and they will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty. An experienced lawyer like those at our firm is likely to advise the client to plead not guilty at this point so we can further investigate the strengths and weaknesses of the case and attempt to work out a plea deal with the prosecutor.

For lower-level crimes and those individuals without a criminal history, we will work to convince the prosecutor to admit the client into a pre-trial diversion program. These programs require the client to complete certain classes, counseling, and community service activities and to stay out of trouble. If the client complies, the charges will be dropped. If pre-trial diversion is not in the cards, we will work to negotiate a deal where the client pleads to a lesser charge or pleads guilty in exchange for the prosecutor recommending a lenient sentence.

If the client is not satisfied with the deal offered or simply does not wish to take a deal, our attorneys are ready and able to take their case to trial and fight for a verdict of not guilty.

If You Are Looking to Make a Criminal Referral, Call Our Experienced Philadelphia Lawyers Today

It is common for attorneys to be presented with cases that they cannot handle themselves for one reason or another. It can be stressful to try to find a local attorney to whom to refer this person who you know will handle their case properly. At The Law Offices of Lloyd Long, we will leave no stone unturned working to get your client’s charges downgraded, dropped or dismissed. With us, they will feel like a person being treated with compassion, and not just a file to be closed. Call our office today at (215) 302-0171 for a free consultation.