Experienced Criminal Lawyers
Experienced criminal lawyers have extensive knowledge of the legal process. They spend much of their time preparing for cases and researching the law.
They may be able to provide you with information about the probable outcome of your case and help you make the best decisions. They also know how to fight for their clients’ rights.
Experience in the Area of Law
Experienced criminal lawyers have a wide range of expertise. They can handle cases involving any of the major offenses.
For example, a criminal defense attorney experienced in theft crimes can help you fight shoplifting charges and work to minimize the consequences of a conviction. Defending property crime charges requires an attorney skilled in scrutinizing the evidence and identifying potential defenses such as self-defense or defense of others.
Drug-related offenses such as possession and trafficking require a criminal lawyer with experience in navigating the complexities of drug laws, negotiating for reduced charges or penalties, and challenging search and seizure law enforcement tactics. In addition, attorneys skilled in defending DUI/DWI cases can help clients avoid license suspension and retain their professional licenses, as well as address hidden consequences such as insurance, immigration and job issues.
Experienced criminal lawyers can also help with federal offenses such as wire fraud and securities fraud which fall under federal jurisdiction because of their interstate or international nature. A new graduate of law school may be unfamiliar with state and local laws that vary drastically.
Track Record of Success
In any area of legal practice, a lawyer’s track record is important. When it comes to criminal cases, the experience and reputation of a criminal defense attorney can make the difference between jail time or having your charges dismissed.
A good way to assess a potential criminal lawyer is to speak with friends and family members that have used their services in the past. In addition, you can contact your state bar or use an online search engine to look for attorneys with a proven track record of zealously defending their clients against criminal charges.
A good criminal defense attorney will take the time to understand your legal situation and then explain a plan for how they will defend you. This plan should be clear and concise. An experienced NYC criminal defense lawyer will also be able to provide you with a realistic assessment of your chances of success and what penalties you might face if convicted.
Experience in Negotiating Plea Agreements
Experienced criminal lawyers will have worked with prosecutors before and be familiar with how they negotiate plea agreements. Plea bargaining is a process where a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser offense in exchange for lenient sentencing, recommendations, or dismissal of other charges.
For example, if you have been charged with shoplifting, it makes sense to hire a criminal defense attorney who has specific experience with that charge and the types of penalties you could face. That way, they will be able to give you the most accurate and honest assessment of your chances of winning at trial or working out a plea deal.
Successfully negotiating a plea agreement takes excellent research, writing, and communication skills to build the case law that supports your argument and persuade a judge. The judge must also have a discussion with you (known as a colloquy) about what rights you are waiving when you accept the plea deal.
Experience in Taking Cases to Trial
Criminal lawyers who take their cases all the way through trial have extensive experience with the state and federal court systems. This includes knowing how to deal with different judges, prosecutors and a wide variety of case outcomes.
It’s also important for a criminal attorney to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with clients, witnesses, law enforcement officials and other attorneys. The lawyer should have strong writing and speaking skills in order to prepare legal documents, draft briefs and deliver arguments to a judge or jury.
A defense attorney with little or no courtroom experience could have trouble navigating the complexities of local drug court procedures, school zone offenses and other local nuances that affect a case’s outcome. When selecting an attorney for a criminal case, you want someone who spends every day in a busy, high-profile criminal practice and has argued thousands of cases. This is why it’s important to ask your prospective attorney how many cases they have defended all the way through trial.