Hiring a criminal defense attorney when you are accused is critical. The prosecution has full access the defendant's records, investigation materials, and any evidence gathered during an investigation. The defense is usually able to access this information first, so the prosecutor has a strategic advantage. Here are some things to consider when hiring an Arkansas criminal defense attorney. The advantage for the prosecution over the defense is having all necessary investigation materials available before it can begin its case.
Matthew McKay
There may be an Arkansas attorney that can represent you if your case has been referred to the Arkansas Supreme Court. Matthew P. McKay is an Arkansas lawyer who was admitted in 2007. His practice includes drug crimes, juvenile offenses, probation and parole. He has extensive experience in all types trials and will aggressively advocate you in court for the best outcome.
When hiring a criminal defense attorney, it's important to find one that can offer you a free consultation. Ask about hidden fees and the cost of the initial interview. It is also useful to look into the reputation of your attorney. Is he well-regarded in his field? Can he provide a list of happy clients? Ask for references if you're not sure. This will ensure that you receive high-quality legal representation.
Dan Hancock
Dan Hancock, a criminal defense attorney licensed to practice in all states and federal courts has extensive experience in Arkansas. He is a native of White Hall, Arkansas, and served six years in the United States Navy. He earned his undergraduate degree in law from the University of West Florida. His Juris Doctorate was obtained from the William H. Bowen School of Law. He is a member at large of the Arkansas Bar Association (Pulaski County Bar Association) and National Criminal Defense Attorneys Association (National Criminal Defense Attorneys Association).
Arkansas Public Defender Commission maintains an extensive network of divisions that specialize on various criminal law issues. The Juvenile Ombudsman Division manages cases of juvenile commitment and delinquency. The Capital, Conflicts and Appellate Division represents those accused of capital crimes and death penalty. Each division has its own judicial offices, clerks, and judges. Each judicial area has its own scheduling and terms of court.
John Wesley Hall
Hall is a former prosecutor who was also the chief of Little Rock's career criminal section. He is admitted to practice in several federal courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd and 5th Circuits, as well as the International Criminal Court. He is also a member of Arkansas Bar Association’s House of Delegates.
Hall graduated from the University of Arkansas Law School, 1973. He has been an active member of the legal community since then. For 14 years, he has been a member of the NACDL Board of Directors, serving as its Secretary/Treasurer. He was also past president of Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Hall has received numerous honors and awards for his work, including both the Heeney Award as well as the Distinguished Achievement Award.
Clevenger Law Firm
Benca, the lead attorney for Clevenger Law Firm, was hired in June 2018 by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to defend him. Benca is a former criminal defense attorney with national exposure. He pleaded guilty on two counts, one each of burglary & theft. He was sentenced to two years probation, a $500 fine, and ordered to undergo psychiatric counseling. The judge also dismissed an attempted theft charge against Clevenger. Benca was also well-known for representing the late Damien Echols during his time at Clevenger. Benca worked as a corporate lawyer for Arkansas' environmental agency. He earned $62,531 annually.
The firm is located in Bentonville, Arkansas, but handles cases throughout the state. They focus their practice in the northwest Arkansas region, including Little Rock, Springdale, and Fayetteville. However, the firm also accepts high-profile cases originating from Arkansas. Wilkinson's extensive trial and courtroom experience is documented in the Arkansas Bar Association Directory. He is a regular lecturer for attorneys in 40 states.
FAQ
What job opportunities will I have once I'm done with school?
Graduates can choose from three career options: government service, private practice, or public interest. Public interest jobs can include being an attorney for a non-profit organization or as a judge. Private practice positions can include solo practitioners, partners in a firm, and corporate counsel. The government service career includes being a judge, defense lawyer, or prosecutor.
Can I become a lawyer without going to law school?
Yes, you can!
A degree from a non-lawyer institution is sufficient if you have a good understanding of the legal system and its workings. You should learn how laws work together and what makes them different.
You should know how to understand and interpret statutes, regulations or court decisions. Understanding basic concepts of Constitution, Administrative, Contract, Property, Criminal, Civil Procedure, Evidence, Torts, Bankruptcy, Intellectual Property, Employment Law is essential.
If you want to practice law, you must pass the bar exam. The bar exam tests both your legal knowledge as well as your ability to apply law to real-life situations. It's a test of your general knowledge of the law and of your ability to analyze cases and write briefs.
The oral and written sections of the bar exam are split into two sections. Multiple choice questions make up the written portion. The oral part includes simulated trials. Before you can take the bar exam, it is important to study for at least a few months.
In addition to passing the bar exam, you will need to obtain admission to the state where you wish to practice law. You will need to apply for admission depending on where you are located. For more information, please contact the State Bar Association.
What are the required years to become a Lawyer?
It isn't as easy as you think. After high school, you will need to work hard for at minimum four years. But there are other factors.
You also have to pass exams and do well enough on them to get into law school. You'll then spend two more years studying law.
After this, you will graduate from law school. Then, you will return to college to complete the bar exam. If you pass that, you're now a licensed attorney.
How do I get into law school?
All law schools accept applications all year. Many students decide to apply early rather than wait for late fall/early spring when the flood of applications arrives. If you're interested in applying to law school, contact the admissions offices.
What is the distinction between a transactional attorney and a lawsuit lawyer?
A lawyer who specializes exclusively in transactional legal is different from one who specializes only in litigation. This is because they will encounter different types of legal problems. Transactional attorneys deal with contracts, real-estate transactions, business formations, intellectual property issues, and other matters. Litigation lawyers focus on disputes involving corporations and partnerships, trusts estates, personal injury cases, insurance claims, and trusts.
Each type of case requires different skills and knowledge. For example, if you were considering hiring a transactional attorney, he would probably need to know how to draft agreements, prepare documents, negotiate terms, handle conflicts, etc. A litigation attorney should be familiar with the rules and limitations of evidence, discovery rules, and rules of proof.
Other differences may exist depending on where the client lives. A New York City lawyer might not be as familiar as an attorney who practices in California. An attorney in Florida would not know as much about Texas laws as one who is practicing in Texas.
Statistics
- The states that saw the biggest increase in average salary over the last 5 years are Rhode Island (+26.6%), Wisconsin (+24.1), Massachusetts (23.2%), Wyoming (18.3%), and North Dakota (18.1%). (legal.io)
- According to the Law School Admission Council, the number of people applying for these programs was up 13% last fall. (stfrancislaw.com)
- Though the BLS predicts that growth in employment for lawyers will continue at six percent through 2024, that growth may not be enough to provide jobs for all graduating law school students. (rasmussen.edu)
- The median annual salary for lawyers in 2016 was $118,160, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (rasmussen.edu)
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for lawyers in 2020 was $126,930. (stfrancislaw.com)
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How To
How to become a lawyer
How to become a Lawyer? If you're thinking of becoming a lawyer, it is important to determine what kind law you would like to practice. There are many different kinds of law, such as criminal law, family law, real estate law, corporate law, etc. You must specialize in a particular type of law to be able to practice it. For example, if your goal is to become a specialist on family law, then you must complete Family law courses at the university. You will also need to pass exams. You will be able to effectively handle cases in this particular field. After passing these tests, you can apply for admission to a school where you can get training on how to work in this field. This is a long process so ensure you have a clear goal to become a lawyer.
A law major can be another way to become an attorney. In this case, you will receive a bachelor's degree in law. Then, you can begin working as a paralegal. Paralegals help lawyers prepare their files and documents. He/she collects client data, prepares contracts, drafts court papers, and makes copies. As a legal assistant, you will be responsible for answering the phones and filing paperwork. It is rewarding and a popular career choice for many people after graduation from college. There are many other routes to becoming a lawyer, besides attending college. People may decide to become a lawyer even without formal education. They read articles and books on the law, and then try to figure how to become a lawyer. It is not easy to become a lawyer without attending college. Most states require law degrees to be applied for. Also, most judges prefer candidates who have graduated from law school.
If you don't know which kind of law you want, then you should think about your interests. Do you like helping others? Are you interested to get involved in politics? Or perhaps you prefer to help people rather than debate them. You can use any interest to become an attorney, regardless of what they are.
By joining a law company, you can also become an attorney. Because they are passionate about their job, lawyers often join law firms. They love arguing cases, and helping people. If you don't like the idea of spending your entire life doing something you dislike, there are other options. Instead of joining a large law firm, you might open your own office. You may even be able to hire another person to assist you. However, you'll still be capable of helping people.
You can also become a lawyer without graduating from college. You can choose to enroll in an online legal school or pursue an associate's program in law. Both options will give you enough knowledge to become a lawyer. Online law schools can accommodate your busy schedule and offer flexible scheduling. An associate's degree allows you to gain more practical experience.
It doesn't matter if you want to be a lawyer, but you should be ready to put in a lot of work. It will be necessary to study daily, take exams, complete internships, and pass exams. Even though you may not enjoy studying all the time, you will eventually see the benefits of being a lawyer.