If you are facing criminal charges it is vital that you have the very best criminal defence lawyer by your side.
Failing to do so could have dire consequences with the punishments for criminal convictions including a loss of reputation and employment at best and serious jail time at worst.
Far too many lose criminal cases due to being unprepared before trial and not having hired a lawyer with the appropriate experience or expertise.
The criminal court process is confusing, lengthy, and complex, and it is important to have an experienced criminal lawyer to guide you through the process and help build the strongest possible defence.
Many people, usually in a bid to save money, choose to either represent themselves or use the public defender provided but this is a mistake.
Consider, is the money that you would have to spend on a top criminal defence lawyer really worth more to you than having the best possible chance of a positive outcome in your criminal trial?
6 traits all great criminal lawyers posses
So, we have established the importance of finding a great criminal lawyer, but how exactly do you go about doing so?
Well, to become a criminal lawyer in the first place you have to have an in-depth knowledge of how the law works and a quick look at some online reviews will give you a good idea of a lawyer’s competence and track record.
However, what really sets apart a top lawyer is their character, and there are certain traits that those at the very top of their profession possess.
Here are the top 6 traits to look for when meeting with a criminal defence lawyer for the very first time:
Confidentiality
As your lawyer in a criminal case, an attorney will have access to privileged and often deeply personal information that must not be shared.
All lawyers are bound by attorney-client privilege and must not reveal any sensitive information, whether it influences the case or otherwise.
Negotiating
When you think of a great criminal lawyer you picture a courtroom with them presenting a compelling case to a jury or objecting at the perfect time to discredit the opposing counsel.
Whilst this may be required in your case, many criminal cases are settled outside of court and it is crucial that your lawyer is an expert at negotiating in these discussions.
Confidence
A lawyer should exude confidence and to the casual observer it should always appear that they have total belief that the case they are presenting will be successful.
They must take control of the courtroom if proceedings go that far as any form of passive approach will be instantly exploited and used by the other party’s lawyer to their advantage.
Decision making
The best laid plans and all that. No matter how watertight a defence you and your lawyer think you have prepared there is always the chance that a new piece of evidence comes to light that requires an instant pivot in another direction.
A criminal lawyer must be adaptable and able to process information and act on it in the most appropriate manner at a split second’s notice.
Communication
Public speaking and negotiating are vital in a lawyer but it is also important that they communicate effectively with you, keeping you abreast of the latest developments and being on hand should you have any questions or concerns about how things are progressing.
You will be able to get a good idea of your lawyer’s personality in your initial consultation and if you do not feel as though you will be able to work together effectively or that you are comfortable sharing private details with them, it is time to go elsewhere.
Listening skills
A criminal defence lawyer will provide you with advice based on their experience and expertise but at the end of the day they are representing you, and you have the final say on the approach taken during the case.
Your lawyer should listen carefully to what you have to say, take on board all the details that you provide, and then develop a plan based on all the information available.
If they are not listening carefully or do not take all minor details into account a mistake could be made that completely compromises your defence.
Honesty
A Defense Lawyer should not make promises that they are unable to deliver on. Many different unexpected things can happen during a criminal case that throw even the strongest defence into chaos.
If there is a good chance that being found not guilty in court is impossible, they should be upfront and suggest that a settlement may be the best chance of minimising the damage done.
You also want someone who will relay the latest developments, good or bad, to you straight away, so that you are never left in the dark regarding the state of your case.