Unfortunately, criminal trials are a part of everyday life. We hear about them on news and read about them in the papers. People are keen to know what arguments were used and what defences were brought by the lawyers to prove the accused’s innocence. What are the qualities of a good criminal lawyer?
A criminal defence solicitor or barrister is a lawyer who specializes in defending people accused of crimes. They are specialized in questioning witnesses and how to advise clients on the best course of action to take. They should possess the following qualities to attain success in defending their clients:
- Knowledge and Expertise:
All experts are expected to have complete knowledge of their field, but criminal lawyers need to be sharper and stay on top of their game as things tend to change quickly in the world of law. They should know what cases can be filed against their client and what defences may be available each accusation depending on the circumstances.
- Great communication skills:
The lawyer should be as good if not a better listener as they are a speaker. They should be able to listen to the client and decide exactly what manner to deal with the case. They should also be able to communicate with the opposite party and negotiate terms if appropriate.
- Aggression/Passiveness where appropriate:
Depending on the circumstances of the case a criminal lawyer should be able to engage aggressively where appropriate. Having said that a lawyer may also need to be passive and use patience if the case calls for it.
- Confidentiality:
It goes without saying that a criminal lawyer should be able to keep personal information about the client and the case strictly to themselves. It is vital to not let the information get out or that will lead to a conflict of interest and also expose the client to external biases. The lawyer should investigate into the information on their own and verify it, without discussing it with external sources.
- A Good Sense of Humour:
Being a criminal lawyer can be stressful. It is important that the lawyer does not become overwhelmed by the case. A good sense of humour is essential to this.
- Personal involvement:
If the lawyer does not hold himself personally responsible for resolving the case he has undertaken, then he will not put in his best efforts to obtain the right result for their client. The lawyer should be concerned with the client’s safety and move quickly to get imprisoned clients out of jail at the earliest opportunity. They should be able to understand the impact that the case has on the life of the client and should care about the direction in which the case is headed. They should proactively use the information that the client provides into a suitable defence strategy, without any undue delay.
A good criminal defence lawyer is a vital part of the defence process and should be chosen with care and research. A client should ensure that the lawyer is properly qualified for the job and has the time to dedicate to your case instead of balancing too many cases. You would want someone who gives his undivided attention to your case.
At Alexander JLO we deal with all aspects of white collar crime, from minor motoring offences to high level financial crime and have decades of experience in doing so. If you are affected by any of these, why not contact us for a no obligation, fee initial consultation and see what we can do for you?