For years, the question of whether it's wise to engage a criminal defense attorney over the phone has been debated.  However, in today's society, the internet is becoming an increasingly popular platform for such services.

As I write this post, the practicality of remote legal services, especially in the context of the Coronavirus, is becoming increasingly clear. For those considering hiring a criminal defense attorney over the phone, I aim to provide comprehensive information to ease any concerns.

First, if you're suffering from the Coronavirus or you or a family member is, or if you're quarantined or concerned about it, I'm sorry.  I'm here for you, and obviously, if you have a criminal case, I can definitely help you.

Right now the courts, more and more, are cognizant of the health concerns going on, not just in Los Angeles, not just in California, not just in the United States, but around the world and they are making concessions for those individuals who are affected by the Coronavirus or who find themselves out of state or even international, out of country, having to make a court appearance in Los Angeles, California.

With 26 years of experience, I've found it increasingly convenient to connect with clients over the phone, via FaceTime, or other means. This allows you to get a good sense of my expertise and decide if I'm the right fit for your case.

Client reviews and Videos are Available Online

Having been hired hundreds of times over the phone and internet, my reviews and lawyer endorsements are readily available online. At the last count, I had close to 400 reviews, providing a comprehensive view of my practice.

The one big advantage I have, which I think a lot of other attorneys don't have, is that I have hundreds of videos online. So not only can you see me and the type of person I am and kind of get a feel for me, but a lot of these videos are geared towards talking about the topic you might be concerned about.

I try to touch on the main issues related to particular topics, whether it be a crime, a courthouse, or just criminal defense in general.  So the answer as far as hiring a lawyer over the Internet is, absolutely, you can hire a lawyer over the Internet.  There's nothing wrong with it.

Do Your Homework Before Hiring a Lawyer

Before making a decision, it's crucial to conduct thorough research.  You'll want to ensure that the attorney you're considering not only has experience in criminal defense but also in the specific courthouse where your case is pending.

You obviously don't want some rookie who has never been to the courthouse where your case is pending or who hasn't handled the type of case that you find yourself facing.

There are a lot of people who can get on the Internet and can get a position on the Internet but need to be better attorneys.  So, you have to be cognizant of that.  In other words, who's the exact attorney that you're seeing on the internet?

Are you talking to that attorney over the phone or meeting with them via FaceTime, and does that attorney actually practice in the case that you are going to hire them for?

There are many attorneys who put their credentials and a bunch of stuff about themselves on the internet, and then it turns out that the attorney doesn't even practice criminal defense. They're using other attorneys to do their work.

So obviously, you want to avoid being in a position where you hire somebody you think is your attorney and it ends up you get some rookie attorney who has only been around for a year or so. Or you hire an attorney, and it turns out that attorneys just had a lot of marketing dollars to be able to put themselves at the top of Google or wherever you find the attorney, but in reality, they don't have a lot of experience.

So, just because somebody might be at the top of Google doesn't necessarily mean that that person has experience and that person can get you a good result and that person can fight for you.  That's what you're looking for.

Reviewing Your Criminal Case Over the Phone

So, if you're looking to hire somebody over the internet — over the phone — I'm certainly available to talk to you.  A lot of times, either when you call my office, I'll be available to talk, or if I'm not on the road in court, I'm able to get a hold of you, and we can talk about your case directly.  I can answer all your questions.

I encourage you to get a lot of questions together. I know that a lot of times when you're trying to hire somebody over the Internet, you feel a little bit anxious because you don't get to meet the person and kind of get a feel for their face-to-face.

Over the years, I have always encouraged people to talk to somebody face to face so they can get a feel for them because that's going to be their advocate in the criminal court.

If you're comfortable with the idea of hiring an attorney over the internet, it's essential to establish direct communication with them. Whether it's through email, phone calls, or FaceTime, ensure you have a conversation with the attorney who will be representing you.

I just had somebody retain me. He's in Scotland, and he's unable to use the phone. He doesn't have access to a phone, and he had to get to court within a few days, so he and I were able to converse over the internet.

He was able to look through my 400 reviews and point me to some videos. I also have some books on many topics on Amazon that you can purchase for a very nominal and reasonable fee.

I'm available in many different ways, and I'm really trying to work hard to make sure that my message gets across to you over the phone, on the internet, via books, and via videos. That's really what I'm shooting for here—to help people out with criminal defense.

Negotiation with Prosecutor

You can absolutely hire your attorney over the internet. You don't necessarily have to meet with them, but  I certainly encourage you to do so if you're available. I'm always available to meet with people. A lot of times, people will hire me, and I'll get all of the paperwork on their case.

I'll speak to the prosecutor, and then we'll sit down face to face.  So, whatever brings you to this part of my website — whether you're concerned about meeting somebody face to face because of the virus, no problem.  Maybe you just don't have time.

Maybe you're out of state.  Maybe you're out of the country and need to get an attorney.  Maybe you're a family member of someone out of state, and you're trying to hire someone for your son, your daughter, or your loved one.  It's not a problem.

I'm here for you. I'm available to talk to you. All you have to do is pick the phone up and ask to speak to Ron Hedding. I will get on the phone as quickly as I can and see what we can do to help you.

Hedding Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm located in Los Angeles County at 16000 Ventura Blvd #1208 Encino, CA 91436. We are also located at 633 West Fifth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. Call (213) 542-0979 for a free case evaluation.