Hiring a defense lawyer is not something you’ll want to take lightly. Not all defense attorneys are the same, after all. You want to find a defense attorney you can trust. The following are a few qualities to consider:
- They have relationships within the court system – A defense attorney with a lot of experience will have existing relationships with the prosecutors and even the judges from past cases. If you notice your lawyer being friendly with the prosecutor, don’t be alarmed. Knowing the prosecutor or judge and having worked with them before can benefit you – it could help your attorney obtain a favorable bond determination, a reduction of charges or a good plea deal.
- They don’t care whether you’re guilty or not – A good defense lawyer will not change the way they work whether you’re innocent or guilty. They will do their utmost to make sure that your constitutional rights are protected. It’s their obligation to try and beat the charges and if they fail to do that, they will try to secure the least penal outcome.
- They will perform their own investigation – A good defense attorney will not rely on the police and prosecution reports. Instead, they will use their own resources to investigate the allegations. This includes searching for evidence and incongruities in the prosecutor’s case by visiting the scene of the crime, speaking with witnesses, hiring experts and more.
- They will insist that you don’t speak with anyone – A good lawyer will make sure that you understand your Fifth Amendment rights so that you don’t accidentally incriminate yourself.
These are a few of the ways you can tell whether you’ve hired a good defense attorney. To speak with an Arizona defense attorney about your case today, be sure to contact us at Pinnacle Law.