Qualities of a Good Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’ve been accused of a criminal offense, the first thing you’d want to make sure of is that you’re getting in touch with a criminal defense attorney. You don’t want to take chances when facing a serious charge. It could be the first time that you’re looking for an attorney and don’t know the qualities to go for. In this post, we’re going to highlight some of the qualities of a good attorney.

Excellent Communication

You’ll be relying on the attorney to guide you through the legal process. Since criminal cases are complex in nature, it is important to find someone that is good at communication. He or she will listen to you and provide the necessary explanations so that you’re aware of what is going on at any given time. The Summit Defense Criminal Lawyer, San Jose DUI Attorney should also be able to talk to the other party so that a resolution is being made that provides the best possible outcome for the case.

Knowledge

As we’ve already mentioned, criminal law can be highly complex. You need to find someone that is specialized. Such an attorney will always ensure that they’re on top of their game. This might require additional training in addition to passing the bar. The attorney should be knowledgeable about the mannerisms of the prosecutors and the judges so that they’re preparing the best defense possible for your case.

Confidentiality

You don’t want people to know that you were charged with a criminal offense. A good attorney will ensure that there are high standards of confidentiality. It is usually recommended that you’re sharing every detail with your attorney. It will be in their best interest to know so that they are not being surprised at any given moment. In return, the lawyer will make sure that the details about the case are confidential.

Experience

It could be a big mistake to work with an attorney that is not proven. For a criminal charge, you want to make sure that the attorney has a track record for reducing charges or having cases dismissed for their clients. One of the ways to determine that the attorney has the experience you’re looking for is by looking at the number of years that they’ve been practicing. You should also ask for references for past clients, especially for cases that are similar to yours.

Aggressiveness

Even though it will not be necessary for every case, aggressiveness is an important trait that a criminal defense attorney should possess. The right amount of aggression can help in getting you the best outcome for the criminal charge. Such an attorney will not allow anything to slip because they’ll be diligent with the representation.

Personal Involvement

Personal involvement doesn’t necessarily mean that the lawyer is emotionally involved in the case. Criminal cases can have serious implications on one’s life. A good attorney will be well aware of such details and will not want to see you get a decision that is not favorable. He or she will go above and beyond to ensure that you’re having the charges reduced or dismissed entirely. It could be difficult to get such an attorney when you’ve never met in person. That is why it is usually recommended that you’re arranging for an initial consultation before you can decide to work with an attorney.

Negotiation Skills

 A good attorney is one that will want to make sure that the case is being settled out of court. This could involve a lot of negotiations with the prosecutor. It is said that a good deal is when both parties walk away unhappy and the lawyer that you hire should provide just that. In addition to being a good negotiator, the attorney should also be able to have an analytical mind that is able to make decisions on the fly after analyzing facts.

Caring

It can be lonely when you’re facing a criminal charge. There could be very few people that understand your predicament. That is why it is imperative that you’re getting an attorney that genuinely cares about your welfare. It will not just be about the money but to ensure that you’re getting the best possible outcome for your case.

Conclusion

Hiring a criminal defense attorney should be a no brainer if you’re facing a criminal charge. You don’t want to wait until it is too late. You should be reaching out to an attorney as soon as you’ve paid for bail to avoid serious repercussions.