When you’re facing criminal charges, your freedom is on the line. If you do not have an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side, you could face severe penalties and experience severe ramifications on your life.
Criminal law tends to be a grave matter, so it can also get a little frightening to know the time has come when you might find yourself looking for the best murder defense lawyers in New York if you’re from the Big Apple and you find yourself accused of such a crime.
Nevertheless, when it comes to protecting your rights and getting a fair trial if you’re the one accused, you want to be sure to have the best possible legal representation. So here’s a comprehensive list of qualities you should look for in an experienced criminal defense attorney when facing such a difficult situation.
Honesty
When looking for an attorney, it is critical to have representation from someone whose practice is based on strong moral principles and knowledge. Your attorney is there to protect your rights and make the best decisions on your behalf. For that reason, you should always go with criminal defense lawyers with a high moral compass like Stein and Markus criminal defense lawyers if you’re facing a trial in California.
Great Communication Skills
While you want your attorney to communicate effectively with the judge and jury, they must also be good listeners. As a client, having an attorney who listens to the details of your case and those involved can help them determine the best defense strategy for you.
Your lawyer should also communicate effectively with other lawyers or prosecutors involved in your case to mediate terms and conditions for your release or court settlements. Their demeanor in court is also important. When presenting a case before a judge and jury, your attorney must be confident and not be intimidated by the judges or prosecutors.
Caring
Getting accused of a crime can be a terrifying and stressful experience. Having an attorney who understands and empathizes with your situation can help to alleviate your emotional stress. Your lawyer should be concerned about your safety and well-being, as well as the emotional impact it can have on your family members. They should also be concerned with limiting public exposure in order to protect your privacy.
Investigation Skills
Criminal defense requires a significant amount of research and time — and you can’t afford to have an attorney walk into a courtroom on your behalf and “wing it.” Each case is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach to your defense will not work. Your attorney should be interested in conducting legal research on similar cases, as well as delving deeper into your specific case to find anything that may have been overlooked that could point to your innocence.
Logical Skills
When it comes to negotiating terms, challenging the prosecution, or making closing arguments to the jury, your attorney must exhibit sharp thinking and quick rebuttals in the courtroom.
Assertiveness
Aggressiveness in the defense of your criminal case may be required at times. It can be advantageous when used at the appropriate time and place. An attorney who is passionate about advocating for your rights and who is willing to be aggressive when necessary can result in a better outcome for you.
Being Approachable
When you hire an attorney to represent you in a criminal case, you are putting your trust in this person to get the best results possible. You want this person to be someone with whom you feel at ease. You want them to be approachable and able to communicate with you on a level that is relatable to you.
Experience
Most attorneys pursue a field of specialization after completing their education and passing the bar exam. This translates to each attorney deciding to specialize in a particular area of the law.
If you are facing serious criminal charges, you do not want to entrust your freedom to an attorney who handles nothing but civil cases. You want an attorney who knows the intricacies of the criminal justice system. Even better, there is a distinct advantage to hiring an attorney who has extensive experience dealing with the exact kind of crime you are charged with. When interviewing criminal defense attorneys, they should provide you with case studies and examples of their previous successes.
Connections
The legal community is structured differently in each city, county, and state. Prosecutors know attorneys, and everyone knows the presiding judges. If you are facing criminal charges in Miami, it stands to reason that you would want a well-known Miami criminal defense attorney to represent you. They will know how to get things done and who to call for important information because of their reputation and involvement in the local legal community.
Privacy
Everything you tell your lawyer about your case is confidential, and you should discuss any concerns you might have directly with your attorney. Breach of confidential information not only jeopardizes your case, but it is also unethical on the part of your lawyer.
Persistence
Criminal law can be a difficult field to work in, but criminal lawyers must have the fortitude to persevere and do what is necessary for their clients. Criminal law is not for everyone, and criminal lawyers must never lose sight of what they are fighting for.
Final Thoughts
In any case, be it criminal manslaughter or battery (manslaughter), the lawyer you ultimately choose will be the most essential factor in determining the outcome of your case. Consult with a few lawyers, ask as many questions as possible, and select the one you are most comfortable with. The fate of your case literally lies in their hands.