Unless you happen to be personal friends, most people don’t know the name of a criminal defense lawyer off the top of their head, never mind a good criminal defense lawyer.
However, if you’re facing criminal charges, you need a good lawyer, and you need one fast. The question is, how do you know what makes a good criminal lawyer?
Here’s what to look for in a criminal defense lawyer (and what you should avoid).
Relevant Experience
First and foremost, look for an attorney who has experience in criminal law. A personal injury attorney is dramatically different from a criminal attorney, and even criminal attorneys can specialize. A DUI is different from violent crime and the judge and jury must be approached differently.
With that in mind, don’t settle for any criminal defense lawyer. Take the time to learn more about criminal defense attorneys in your area and what kinds of cases they work on. Look for someone with a long track record of success in your specific criminal charges.
Local Advantage
After relevant experience, one of the most important qualities in a criminal lawyer is experience within the local legal landscape. This is actually an advantage that’s unique to criminal attorneys.
You see, while laws are consistent across your state, individual courts, judges, and district attorneys vary widely, and all three of those things can dramatically influence how your case progresses.
A district attorney in one county, for example, may have a no-plea-bargaining policy regarding one specific type of crime, while a district attorney in a different county may approach the issue completely differently. Some prosecutors plead right before a trial, while others are willing to negotiate earlier.
In addition, local law enforcement are entirely location-specific. This means that you’re dealing with a different cast of characters who each perform before a jury in certain ways.
Local criminal attorneys know all the fine details of personnel and procedures that you can’t learn from a law book. They know what to say, who to say it to, and when to say it.
Confident and Dedicated Without Guarantees
Too many clients think that a lawyer who doesn’t make guarantees isn’t worth their time. In reality, a lawyer who makes guarantees is the last lawyer you want to represent you.
If you speak with multiple lawyers about your case, you’ll notice that they can usually make an educated guess about how your case will turn out based on their past experience with cases similar to yours. However, most attorneys are unwilling to offer guarantees, even if they strongly believe that a result is likely.
This is actually a good sign–it means that you have a practical, responsible attorney. It also means you have an attorney who knows professional ethics.
While state practice laws vary, defense attorneys are universally forbidden from offering guarantees, regardless of how likely an outcome is. This is designed to protect desperate clients from unscrupulous attorneys.
Instead of guarantees, look for an attorney who is confident that they can build the strongest case possible and has the dedication to pull it off.
Figuring Out What to Look for in a Criminal Defense Lawyer
When you’re hit with criminal charges, figuring out what to look for in a criminal defense lawyer is the last thing on your mind. You just know you need a lawyer.
But the reality is that your lawyer can change the entire course of your case. Even innocent people have been sent to jail in the hands of incompetent attorneys.
When your freedom is on the line, don’t settle for the first available attorney. Find an attorney who will fight for you the right way.
If you have more ideas on what qualities make a great criminal lawyer stand out, let us know in the comments below!
