Being charged with a serious criminal offense can be emotionally and financially stressful. Even if the case is still in the process of adjudication, the mere accusation can destroy your life and that of your family. It can cause a lot of hardships, such as difficulty in getting a job, experiencing prejudice from society, and many more. 

Due to these unfortunate circumstances, it’s always crucial to hire a dedicated criminal defense lawyer who can advocate for you and fight for your freedom against the criminal charges. However, given the variety of lawyers to choose from, it’s sometimes challenging to find the right one for your needs. Without a thorough background check, you can make your situation worse. 

So, when you’re looking for a reliable criminal defense lawyer, below are the things you should consider from the get-go:

• Specialization 

Typically, most criminal lawyers, like the ones working in Clark, Clark & Noonan, LLC, are known for building strong defenses regardless of the crime committed. But, some specialize in a specific area of law. These specializations include DUI (driving under the influence), drug charges, theft, and other crime classifications. 

In such a case, it can be a great idea to choose a legal professional who concentrates on the type of crime that’s related to yours. This means that they should have valuable years of experience in handling cases concerning that area of criminal defense. Moreover, they should also be equipped with the latest techniques, developments, and rules necessary for navigating your situation properly and without trouble. And, due to their experience, they should possess a level of competence in providing strong legal representation. 

• Reputation

Choosing an attorney with an excellent reputation can reassure you that you’re heading to the right path. With several choices online, you cannot tell who the perfect one for your case is without checking their reputation. 

To research a lawyer’s reputation, you should consider the following: 

• Words Of Mouth – If you know someone who previously worked with a criminal defense lawyer, you can generate unbiased opinions regarding the attorney’s performance. If you can’t obtain some referrals, look for websites that provide a comprehensive listing of attorneys. When you encounter someone with a history of verdicts and settlements and awards, it can be the right professional for you.
• State Bar Associations – To practice law in your area, the lawyer needs to be licensed to do so. This is where the state bar associations come into play. These associations can help you determine whether the legal professional has an active license. Also, you can check with these organizations if they have complaints coming from their clients. This means that the disciplinary record should be taken into consideration when choosing a reputable lawyer in your area. 

• Exceptional Qualities

Typically, most criminal lawyers defend the rights of those being accused of a crime. Whether they’re guilty or not, it’s their primary duty to represent and protect their clients. And, in doing so, they should possess good qualities to ensure that they fill that legal role. These might include:

• Research Skills – Of course, your lawyer, whose task is to fight for your case, should have exceptional research skills. This means they should know how to find cases that they can use as part of their defense strategy. Also, they should be able to review the circumstances of your arrest because the police authorities might have overlooked an urgent matter that can affect your case. 
• Perseverance – This means your criminal defense lawyer should exhaust all possible options to help you get out of legal trouble. For example, if your case will be tried, they should make the most out of many defense strategies to convince the judge that you’re not guilty. 
• Excellent Communication Skills – Aside from being a speaker, your lawyer should also be a good listener. They should know how to listen to what you say and communicate with you so that you understand what they’re saying clearly and quickly. 
• Analytical Skills – This means your legal counsel always uses their mind, especially in negotiating a settlement, making an argument in the courtroom, and many more. They should be capable of making quick judgments that are useful to your defense. 
• Integrity – More than anything else, your lawyer should show a high level of integrity when dealing with your case. They should be transparent about the progress of your case and the possible outcome of the trial. 
• Negotiating Skills – They should make the best deal for you, especially when it comes to negotiating agreements with the prosecutor and the judge assigned to your case. 
• Courtroom Performance – To make full benefit of the court proceedings, your criminal defense attorney should observe proper courtroom demeanor so that they shouldn’t be intimidated by the judge. They should be formal in representing your interests and ensure to follow the proper court rules. 
• Good Relationship With The Police Officer – This means your legal counsel should have a good relationship with the police officer so they can gather information from them. The police authorities’ knowledge about the case can help them analyze the evidence being used against you. 
• Confidence – Always choose a lawyer who is confident enough to provide legal representation. Although they can also create a good case for you, they still don’t know what’s going to be the verdict of the court. So, consider a confident legal professional, but not someone who promises outcomes they can’t even guarantee. 
• Confidentiality – Your lawyer should be able to observe the utmost confidentiality in dealing with your personal information. Not letting the information get out can help prevent your exposure to external biases. Also, the leakage can cause some conflicts of interest, which can only worsen your situation. Make sure your attorney knows how to investigate the matter without discussing it with other people. 
• Compassionate – Although your lawyer shouldn’t invest any emotions in your case, they should care for you and the legal consequences of your conviction. They should also show some support to you and your family, especially when the verdict’s implications can have a long-term impact on your future. 

• Experience In Trial 

Most criminal charges go to trial, and when this happens, you probably need a criminal defense lawyer’s assistance with good trial experience. Primarily, trial experience is a vital factor in picking the right person for your case because they have to walk into the courtrooms, defend your side, and negotiate for a plea agreement.

For example, if you’re being charged with DUI, your lawyer should know how to navigate a DUI legal defense during the trial. This means  that your lawyer shouldn’t be afraid to face the judge and the opposing party, represent your interests, and win for you. 

Moreover, although they can be aggressive in handling your case, a lawyer with good trial experience will not opt to damage their relationships with the prosecutor and the judge. Instead, they’ll develop a sound defense strategy while becoming friends with the court’s officers. That way, you have higher chances of winning the case and get the freedom you want. 

• Accessibility And Responsiveness

The lawyer that you should be getting is someone who can make themselves readily available throughout the case. In some cases, clients complain about legal professionals being only accessible when they’re being paid. If you’ve encountered this type of lawyer, don’t be afraid to walk away and look for better choices. 

You should remember that representing someone in a criminal defense prosecution can be a challenging process. Hence, your lawyer should spend time talking to you and learning the facts behind the accusation or your arrest. If you can’t come to the office, they should be willing to visit you at home and discuss your case’s progress. Moreover, if a physical meeting isn’t allowed, they should try online methods to reach out and talk to you. 

In addition to accessibility, your legal counsel should also be responsive to you. Typically, when you’re dealing with a criminal charge, time is an essential element. The more you wait, the more you make the situation problematic. Thus, make sure that the legal representative you hire will get to work on your case right away. 

If they have a legal team, they should be able to arrange a meeting with you as early as possible. Also, if they’re quick in answering your phone calls or emails, this means that they can also be fast when it comes to building your defense. 

•  Fees

Although it shouldn’t be a primary factor in selecting a defense lawyer, it’s important to know how your potential lawyer will charge you. For most criminal defense attorneys, a lawyer’s worth varies based on factors, such as level of experience, nature of the case, length of the case, the complexity of the case, and a lot more. 

For this reason, always look for someone whose fees are within your price range. That way, you can ensure that they’ll take your situation seriously because they know you can pay their fees from start to finish. 

Conclusion

Whether you’ve been accused of traffic offenses, misdemeanors, drug offenses, or any other crime, an experienced lawyer will not hesitate to fight aggressively on your behalf. So, once you’ve reviewed the things mentioned above, you can start finding and choosing the best criminal defense lawyer in your area.