If you are facing a criminal charge in California, it is highly recommended that you retain a local attorney who specializes in criminal defense cases. While you are not required to retain an attorney local to your area, it is in your best interest to do so. 

A local attorney will be familiar with the courts and judges that will handle your case, as well as the prosecutors and their reputations. This familiarity can help them to gain insight into the judge’s tendencies and a better sense of how the prosecutor is likely to approach the case. 

In addition to having a familiarity with the local judges and prosecutors and local laws, the other advantages of hiring a local attorney include: 

• Having familiarity with the local legal system and courthouses. A local attorney will have extensive knowledge of the local legal system and its nuances. They will know the procedures and processes in the courts, and how prosecutors and judges work, which can help them to create a stronger defense strategy.
• Having knowledge of the local laws. A local attorney will know the state and local laws specific to your region regarding your legal matter. This helps them to provide better counsel, reduce risks, and potentially get better outcomes for negotiations or litigation.
• Affording you the ease of meeting in person. Choosing a local attorney makes it easy to have in-person meetings with them, which many find more effective than virtual meetings. In meeting face-to-face, you can also feel more comfortable that you have someone who knows you and your case well. Because of the ease of meeting in person, you can also save money on travel expenses should you need to meet with your attorney in person. 

Take the first step—give us a call at (661) 485-5602 to discuss your case with our Kern County criminal defense attorney.