Most every person in prison today had a lawyer representing them. The attorney should be well qualified to handle the specific matter you retained them for and if they are not, they should associate another attorney who is. Also, keep in mind that attorneys make their living by charging for their time, regardless of whether that time is spent during trial or consulting with someone, so expect to pay the attorney and be realistic about the charges. I have had a number of messages advising that persons could not afford an attorney. In most successful cases, regardless of whether civil or criminal, the matter was actually won well in advance of any trial and in most instances because of proper preparation.
Any attorney is only as good as what they have to work with and present in someone's behalf.
A good and qualified investigator plays a vital role in gathering evidence and preparing a case. The best possible advice I could give anyone in most civil and criminal matters is to first consult with and retain the services of a qualified private investigator. Allow them to prepare the case, gather the evidence, interview all potential witnesses and once everything is complete, then take that product to an attorney. At that point, the majority of the preparation work has been done and the attorney is in a much better position to analyze the situation. Regardless of the fees involved, it cost far less to properly defend prior to trial than it does after a conviction.