Just 2 years ago, over 57,000 federal criminal cases resulted in sentences.
If you’ve been charged with a crime, hiring a criminal defense attorney is one of the best things you can do. The right attorney can handle a variety of tasks to help you avoid a conviction or get a reduced sentence.
However, you’ll only get positive results if you know what makes a criminal defense attorney good. Fortunately, this quick guide has all the information you need.
So what qualities does a good criminal defense attorney have? Read on to find out!
Proper Qualifications
Having the proper qualifications to defend clients is one of the main things that makes a defense attorney.
To become a criminal lawyer, one must acquire a bachelor’s degree and attend law school. After getting a law degree, they must then pass the MPRE (Multi-state Professional Responsibility Examination) and obtain a law license by completing a bar exam.
If a defense lawyer hasn’t done all of these, they may not be able to legally serve you. Because of this, you should ask about one’s education before working with them.
Plenty of Experience
Aside from having proper qualifications, another thing that makes a good criminal defense lawyer is experience.
Although a defense lawyer doesn’t require experience to help you, experience allows them to understand how to navigate different types of cases. Not only can this increase your chances of winning the case, but the process may also go by quicker.
When looking for a defense lawyer, you can ask them about their experiences with legal cases similar to yours. If they haven’t worked with a similar client, it may be best to look elsewhere.
Positive Reviews
You should never trust a criminal defense lawyer unless they have a plethora of positive reviews.
While people can leave negative reviews for anything, having too many negative reviews can indicate that a defense attorney isn’t competent enough to handle your case.
Here are some of the most common reasons people leave negative reviews for attorneys:
- Unexpected fees
- Little to no communication
- Poor outcome
The fastest way to read reviews is to search online. If you know someone that’s worked with a criminal lawyer, you can also ask them if they’d suit you. You’ll know a lawyer is good if they have both positive reviews and recommendations.
Fair and Honest Rates
One of the main problems that many people have with lawyers is the cost.
Legal cases can cost several thousand dollars due to the number of people involved. Things get even more expensive when dealing with damaged property or injuries.
A good criminal defense lawyer will be honest about their rates from the beginning. After describing your case to them, they’ll estimate how long the process will take and what you’ll be charged for.
If they feel they need to charge more during the case, they’ll let you know before continuing. This will prevent you from facing last-minute expenses you can’t afford.
Stellar Communication Skills
Most people expect lawyers to have good communication skills, but many don’t.
Communication is crucial in all legal cases because it ensures that all parties understand what’s going on. When working with a lawyer, you’ll want them to inform you of changes, new events, and anything else pertaining to your case.
You must also consider your preferred communication method when choosing a lawyer. For example, a lawyer may know how to get their point across to anyone; however, they may only relay info in person. If you prefer to communicate via messages, a lawyer like this may not suit you.
Thorough Preparation
No matter what a lawyer specializes in, they must prepare thoroughly for all legal cases.
During the preparation stage, a good criminal defense lawyer will gather the necessary documents and tell you what to expect for your case. They’ll also gather as much evidence as possible to assist you.
If you have any questions, they’ll answer them before the case goes further. They’ll also describe several ways they can approach your case. This will not only prevent you from getting stressed, but it’ll also provide you with some reassurance about the lawyer.
Persistence
The last quality that makes a good criminal defense lawyer is persistence.
Persistence is all about refusing to stop unless there are no options. When working on legal cases, a persistent lawyer will try everything they can to help clients avoid legal trouble.
For example, when working with a drug offense lawyer, they’ll use evidence to show that you’ve done nothing wrong. Even if there’s a plethora of evidence that suggests you’re guilty of a crime, a good lawyer will try to reduce your sentence with the likes of a plea deal.
They can also appeal the decision, which involves taking the case to a higher court after you’re found guilty. This will give your lawyer more time to build a better strategy.
Look for a Good Criminal Defense Attorney Today
Now that you know what makes a good criminal defense attorney, it’s time to start looking for one.
Like many things, you can find attorneys by searching online. Before working with one, use this article as a checklist to determine whether they’re a good fit for you.
If you’re hesitant about working with a defense attorney, look elsewhere. You should feel absolute confidence before hiring one because the costs can quickly add up.
To learn more about legal cases and attorneys, browse the rest of our blog!
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