When you find yourself facing criminal charges, there are many emotions that will come to the surface. Shock, anger, fear, and regret may all swirl in the mind of the average defendant initially, but the best way to prepare yourself for the trial ahead is by hiring an experienced, skilled criminal defense attorney who can prepare your defense and provide a positive outcome.
Finding a great criminal defense law firm in Anne Arundel County doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you know what qualities to seek when reviewing potential candidates. There are many traits that distinguish the best criminal defense attorneys from their peers. If you know what they are, you can identify the best attorney to handle your case. A top criminal defense lawyer isn’t just someone who is knowledgeable in the law, but who also has experience winning cases like yours by preparing and arguing well-conceived, thorough defense strategies. Keep reading to learn more about some of the traits you should seek when hiring an attorney to prepare your criminal defense.
Similar Experience
While criminal defense law is a specialty unto its own, there is also something to be said for hiring a lawyer that has a proven history of successfully arguing cases in which the defendants are accused of charges like yours. For example, if you’ve been charged with embezzling funds, you wouldn’t hire a lawyer who has never successfully tried a case for a defendant who has been charged with embezzlement. Try to find an attorney who has not only tried cases like yours, but who has done so successfully.
Successful Trial History
It’s also important to make sure the criminal defense attorney you’re considering has a strong record of winning cases for defendants who have been accused of charges like yours. An attorney may have a great deal of experience, but if the attorney’s win record is below 50%, you may want to keep looking. An attorney who has a long history of success is not only a proven winner in a court of law. A high win percentage also indicates that the attorney or firm does thorough evidence analysis, has sound defense strategies, is tenacious in cross-examination, and has an excellent communication style in the courtroom.
Local Advantage
While it’s common to see lawyers and firms practice regionally when it comes to civil law, criminal law is best practiced by a criminal defense attorney who knows the local legal landscape. In many criminal cases, though the laws are the same across a state jurisdiction, practices may differ significantly from courthouse to courthouse. Make sure that you hire a lawyer who regularly practices in the courthouse where your case will be heard and who has prior experience facing local district attorneys and prosecutors. That inside knowledge can dramatically impact the resolution of your case in a positive way. Therefore, it’s important to find a defense attorney who isn’t only familiar with cases like yours, but who understands how the local district attorney’s office will prosecute them.
Personal Investment
When you hire a criminal defense attorney, you want that lawyer to treat your case with great care. After all, the outcome of a criminal case can impact the rest of your life, so you want an attorney who will not only prepare an adequate defense but who will become personally invested in the outcome of your trial. Find an attorney who will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, offer wise counsel, and provide a vehement and aggressive defense for you. Your attorney should care deeply about the outcome of your case and should fight for you accordingly.
If you find yourself charged with a crime, look for these qualities to find the best lawyer in your area to defend you against the charges levied against you. The best criminal defense lawyers will protect your rights; communicate with you about options; and fight tirelessly to defend your rights, reputation, and freedom. To learn more about the qualities you should seek in a skilled criminal defense attorney, call Ortega Law, LLC, at 410-650-8543.