How to Choose An Attorney

If you have been charged with a drug related offense, it is imperative that you engage a lawyer as soon as possible. Your decision in choosing a lawyer will have a serious influence on the outcome of your case. Engaging the right lawyer may prove to be a difficult task. Apart from the fact there are many lawyers licensed to practice in the state of New Jersey, your probable lack of experience in the criminal justice system will only confound your efforts. In addition, many consumers are affected by various myths and misconceptions relating to the capabilities and effectiveness of a lawyer and sometimes they engage an attorney who is not qualified to assist them in addressing their needs in these troubling times.

Here are important questions that you should ask to assist you in making an intelligent decision when you engage a lawyer to represent you in defending a related offense. Before interviewing an attorney, however, you should first read Frank T. Luciano’s book titled, "The Drug War - The Other Casualty.”


Q. How many years has the attorney been practicing law?

This information will disclose to you the attorney’s general experience in the law business.

Frank T. Luciano, Esq. has been licensed as a lawyer in the state of New Jersey and in particular northern New Jersey for over 33 years.

Q. How much experience does the lawyer have with drug related offenses?

While attorneys practice in various areas of the law, it is important that the attorney you engage has extensive experience with drug related offenses. When you interview an attorney, and you must do that, you have to leave that attorney’s office confident that you have just spoken to someone with a considerable amount of experience in this area of the law.

Frank T. Luciano, Esq. began his legal career as a municipal public defender, where he worked for over 13 years. During that time, he represented numerous defendants charged with drug related offenses. He has continued representing drug offenders on a regular. He has lectured on the subject and has published a book titled "The Drug War - The Other Casualty" and other publications on this website.

Q. How familiar and well-received is the attorney in the municipality where the offense is pending?

An attorney who has a familiar relationship with the court and court personnel where the case is pending is very important to you and your case for a whole host of different reasons. What is especially important is the respect and professional integrity that the attorney maintains in those court rooms.

Frank T. Luciano, Esq. has been practicing law in the northern part of New Jersey for over 33 years. He is received with favor and respect by his peers and the court personnel in all of the municipalities in which he appears.

Q. Is the attorney a member of any professional associations?

An attorney’s participation in professional associations can signal to you that the attorney is familiar with the subject matter of your anticipated engagement. They are also a wonderful source of intellectual networking that allows the attorney the opportunity to stay on the cutting edge of the law.

Frank T. Luciano, Esq. is a member of the National Association of Criminal Lawyers, National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws and the American Association for Justice, formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He is also a member of the Criminal Law Section and Municipal Court Practice Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Q. How many cases has the attorney taken to trial?

The trial skills of your lawyer are of upmost importance. His special skills as a trial practitioner in drug related offense are critical.

Frank T. Luciano, Esq. has tried a number of drug cases during his 33 year professional career.

Q. Is the attorney capable of explaining to you all of the issues associated with your case?

Some of the most important responsibilities that an attorney has to his client is to identify every issue associated with his case and to explain to the client, in plain language, the nature of those issues. The purpose of this responsibility is to educate the client so as to allow that client to make an informed decision on the numerous questions that will develop during the course of the litigation. A client can not make an intelligent decision unless these issues are fully explored and explained by his /her attorney.

Frank T. Luciano, Esq. will work tirelessly with you in uncovering and developing all of the issues necessary for you to make an informed decision. He is extremely capable in reducing some of the more complex legal principles that can influence the outcome of a drug case into simple language. He will never allow you to make a decision unless you completely understand all of the issues involved in your case.


Q. Will the attorney personally care about you and your problems and is that important?

Some lawyers will take personal interest in their clients and their cases. Unfortunately, some will not. For obvious reasons, an attorney’s personal involvement can prove to be very important to the client and to the success of the case.

Frank T. Luciano, Esq. has always connected with his clients and their legal causes. His commitment to this important component of the attorney/client relationship is best specified by the endorsements or testimonials he has received from this clients on a regular basis. These testimonials can be found elsewhere on this website.


Q. Who in the attorney’s office will actually handle the case?

Many attorneys work with their associates in developing a drug defense. Sometimes the attorney who has been communicating with you during the pre-trial preparation of your case may not be the attorney who actually appears before the court when your case will be heard or otherwise resolved.

Frank T. Luciano, Esq. may work with his associates in developing various aspects of your case. Absent your express consent, however, he will be the only person to appear with you in court. In most cases, he is the only lawyer you will speak to.


Q. Will the attorney be responsive to your telephone calls?

When you engage an attorney, he becomes your agent and, by necessary implication, he is professionally compelled to respond to your telephone calls and questions in a timely and appropriate manner.

Frank T. Luciano, Esq. is extremely sensitive to the anxieties and concerns created by prosecutions of this nature. He has pledged himself to return telephone calls as quickly as possible. In most situations, he will return all telephone calls within 24 hours. For better insight into Mr. Luciano’s commitment to this important responsibility, see the testimonial section of this website.


Q. What are the expected costs of litigation?

Your decision to engage in an attorney will be influenced by the cost of that engagement. You should also know that in some drug cases an expert witness may be required. That is an additional expense that you should factor into your decision. You should not let the cost of litigation control your decision. Hiring an attorney because he/she is inexpensive is just as foolish as representing yourself.

Frank T. Luciano, Esq. will specifically explain all of the costs associated with litigating a drug case, including anticipated cost of expert witnesses. His fees will be specifically identified in a written engagement letter that can not be modified, absent your written consent. His fees are not cheap and he will only work for people who are financially responsible.


Q. Will the attorney advise you as to the prospects of success in your case?

This is a frequently asked question. It is virtually impossible for an attorney to project the likelihood of success in any case, especially, when the case is in its early stages. In fact, it may be improper for an attorney to promise any type of result. Whenever an attorney approaches a legal controversy with a level of high optimism, you ought to be concerned with that attorney’s candor.


Frank T. Luciano, Esq. will never approach your drug case, or any other case for that matter, with any level of optimism. He believes that pessimism requires everyone to work harder to insure that every potential defense is thoroughly explored and developed. There is no room in the law for an overly-optimistic professional.


Q. Has the attorney purchased legal malpractice insurance policy?

As you can imagine lawyers, like other people, make mistakes. When that occurs, the client can sustain a loss, sometimes a very serious one. A legal malpractice policy ensures that you can receive full compensation for your injury. If an attorney does not maintain legal malpractice insurance, that may indicate that he can not afford coverage, which is not a good sign.


Frank T. Luciano, Esq. has maintained a liability insurance policy in his practice during his legal career. His certificate of insurance coverage can be made available at your request.


Q. Has the attorney ever been disciplined by the State Bar Association?

A lawyer who has received sanctions, suspensions or other disciplines from the New Jersey State Bar Association signals some level of professional irresponsibility. You may not want to engage a lawyer with a professional history of this type, unless these issues can be explained away to your satisfaction.

Frank T. Luciano, Esq. has never been subjected to any disciplinary action by any Bar Association or Ethics Committee.



If you conduct an Internet search, you will notice that there are quite a few national websites or Lawyer Directories that identify lawyers who "specialize" in drug cases. The only requirement for a vast majority of these websites and directories is a credit card to pay the listing fee.