Attributes Of A Good Criminal Defense Attorney

How to determine if a Criminal Defense Lawyer is good or not? Remember that good criminal defense lawyer is as much an art as a technical skill. There is no substitute for experience.

Criminal defense attorneys handle various practice areas including drug crimes, domestic violence, white-collar crimes, traffic violations, juvenile crimes and parole and probation offenses. An attorney with many years of experience is a better choice than one fresh out of law school. Moreover, make sure that the attorney has produced positive results from his past experience.

On the other hand, it is unfortunately true that some veteran lawyers are tired of practicing law or have been doing it the wrong way for so long, they can’t change their ways.

These rules apply to all criminal cases whether drunk driving, driving under the influence, drugs, fraud, assault, battery, domestic violence or others. These rules apply everywhere.

1. The lawyer must care about the result and the client’s well being

This may seem obvious but it is important for lawyers to remember how important a case is to the person charged with a crime. Criminal charges can bring intense stress in all areas of a person’s life, including professional, financial and family life.

2. Get to know the client and his or her life situation and background

More importantly these facts can make a big difference with a jury should a person accused with a crime chose to testify in his or her own defense.

3. Work quickly to try to get the person out of jail

If a person is in jail and hires a criminal lawyer, they are expecting the lawyer to make every effort to gain their release from jail. There are several things that can be done by the criminal defense attorney to make this happen.

4. Remember confidentiality

It is important for a criminal lawyer to understand the privacy of the client. This is especially when dealing with family members of the person charged with a crime.

5. Consider any immigration consequences

Anyone who is not a citizen must be especially careful when facing criminal charges. Any conviction or even an admission without entry of a judgment can result in deportation, exclusion from re-admission or denial of citizenship.

6. Communication with the client

Part of why a person hires a criminal lawyer is to understand what is happening in the case as it goes along. A criminal defense attorney must talk about it with the client on a regular basis.

7. Investigation

In most cases the client should allow the criminal defense attorney to hire an investigator to interview witnesses.

8. Legal research and motions

Also many searches resulting in police finding drugs or other contraband are illegal and should be challenged by the criminal lawyer.

9. Negotiation

The way a criminal defense attorney negotiates a case can make the difference in a good or bad result. Bear in mind that not all cases can or should resolve by negotiation. Sometimes your best option is to fight the case all the way to jury trial.

10. Trial

Only about 5% to 10% of cases go all the way to jury trial. However, for the case that we think we can win, jury trial is usually the best option. On the down side, it is more expensive. That is because it should take intensive preparation for the lawyer.

If charged with a criminal offense, you should quickly get in contact with an experienced and successful Criminal Defense Lawyer. Hiring an attorney is the best way to ensure that your rights are being protected.

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