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CHOOSING THE RIGHT LAW FIRM

Every attorney wants to convince you that they are the best.  When you like multiple attorneys, how do you make the choice?  The answer is that you want the right attorney and the right firm.

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John Miller started as a solo attorney with one support member, and he built a firm up to have multiple attorneys and multiple locations, so someone thought that he was the right attorney.  He also wanted to have the right firm.  How did he construct the right firm?  Through careful observation, John realized that certain areas of law were best handled by a firm set up in certain ways.  Read on to see what we think a firm should do (and how we set ours up).

GOAL-FOCUSED STRATEGY

What is the strategy for my case?  A simple question that you should always ask, and the answer is never the same from one case to another.  Criminal law is not cookie cutter; every case has unique facts.  Those unique facts mean that the attorney will handle one case differently from another with the exact same charge.  How do we get to our strategy?

HOW DO WE DEFINE OUR STRATEGY?

First, we believe our clients.  If your attorney will not believe you, who will?  We believe our clients until the evidence shows they are wrong.  That means that if we are told a fact scenario that greatly differs from what is alleged or that is unusual, we will believe the client and pursue the case with those facts in mind.  (NOTE: This means that you really do not want to give your attorney false facts, as it could damage your case to send your attorney chasing after the wrong evidence.  However, we know that when faced with criminal charges, our clients want an attorney who will take them seriously and give them every benefit of the doubt.)

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Second, we use those facts to develop an overall plan.  Was there a stop where the cop did not have a reason to pull over our client?  Did a cop jump the gun and perform a home search before getting a warrant?  Did the officer set up our client by enticing them in a way that constitutes entrapment?  The facts will determine what motions we file and how we pursue the case.  One set of facts may have us putting in a speedy trial demand, while another may have us postponing the trial as long as possible. 

Third, we always file motions.  Lots of motions.  Why?  Even if you do not see evidence that allows for a motion to be filed, you never know when that motion may be relevant.  In criminal law, motions not filed within 10 days of arraignment are waived.  That’s right: you waive your rights.  While there are ways to petition to have the ability to file motions, we would rather know we can exercise our client’s rights.  The right motion can end a case, so why would you not be prepared?  Cases are won and lost on motions.

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Fourth, we listen to our client’s goals.  Someone under 21 facing misdemeanor marijuana possession may have a primary goal of saving a driver’s license.  Someone facing felony assault may be focused on dropping it to a misdemeanor to save a job.  Someone facing a sex crime may be adamant that they did not do it and want a trial by jury.  Whatever the goal, we develop a strategy on how to best reach it.

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Finally, we get every option on the table possible.  We simultaneously work for the best position for trial, while negotiating to get the best offer on the table.  Why?  You will never get a case dismissed if you do not negotiate.  Further, a client who wants to go to trial may be willing to accept one minor charge if the others are all dropped.  Similarly, if you do not treat every case as though it is going to trial, you may miss a great negotiating point to reduce charges for a client whose goal is to get the best plea possible.  Therefore, an attorney should simultaneously aim for the best trial strategy while negotiating with the prosecutor to get charges dropped or reduced.  Then, the client gets to choose between the best options the attorney could get for a deal or for going to trial.

CONTACT US.

Cobb County

1355 Terrell Mill Road
Building 1472
Suite 100
Marietta, Georgia 30067

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Peachtree City

16 Eastbrook Bend
Suite 201
Peachtree City, Georgia 30269

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Email

office@johnbmillerlaw.com

 

Phone

770-863-8355

 

Please enter your information and we will call you by the next business day. We understand that the charges facing you can seem daunting. Our experienced attorneys are here to help you.

 

No attorney-client relationship exists without an executed contract.

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To schedule a free in-office or $75 phone consultation

Call Us Today

770-863-8355

John B. Miller & Associates, P.C.

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office@johnbmillerlaw.com

(770) 863-8355

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1355 Terrell Mill Road
Building 1472
Suite 100
Marietta, Georgia 30067

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16 Eastbrook Bend
Suite 201
Peachtree City, Georgia 30269

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© 2018 John B. Miller & Associates, P.C.

The information on this site is provided as a public service to help educate the community. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Any information provided for public use is general information. Laws change and court decisions may alter the law. For help on how the law affects a particular situation, please contact an attorney.
 
None of the Information provided on this site will create an attorney-client relationship if used by a member of the public, nor will e-mails sent to the above attorney constitute the formation of an attorney-client relationship. All such relationships will be formed in writing and signed by both parties.


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