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Perhaps the biggest mistake you can make when facing serious criminal charges is going to court unprepared. Going through the criminal justice system can be overwhelming, daunting, and complicated, especially if you’re not fully aware of the legal technicalities, the required court proceedings, and your legal rights.
Thus, it’s imperative to seek help from an experienced and qualified legal criminal defence attorney. Having legal representation isn’t only just about having someone to speak for you in the courtroom. Your lawyer should also have the knowledge, skills, and understanding of the criminal justice system to ensure you get good counselling, win your case, and avoid a potential jail sentence.
If you’re seeking good legal assistance, here are eight qualities you need to look for that define a good finest criminal defence lawyer to help narrow down your list.
- Excellent communication skills
It would be difficult for your lawyer to defend you and present your case to the judge if they don’t know how to communicate effectively. An attorney with excellent communication skills can get the message across by choosing the right words to convey the right message.
Your criminal defence lawyer must also be a good communicator with the prosecutors or other lawyers. This way, they can efficiently negotiate the terms and conditions of your court settlements. A lawyer with good communication skills will be confident in the court and not feel intimidated by the prosecutors or the judges.
- Great public speaking skills
Being an excellent communicator is one thing, but being great at public speaking is another. Be wary, as some lawyers may be excellent speakers during your one-on-one sessions, but could lose their composure easily once they need to speak in public. A lawyer that doesn’t have great public speaking skills will have a hard time representing your case, forcing them to redirect it for a settlement. Meanwhile, a lawyer with good public speaking skills can effortlessly exude confidence and show a positive approach towards your case.
- A good and active listener
Although your attorney may be an excellent communicator, you also need to ensure they’re a good listener. Keep in mind that communication is only effective when both parties are also good at listening and comprehending each other’s points. Furthermore, being a good listener will also help your lawyer listen to the other party’s concerns before developing strategies and solutions to defend your case.
- Good investigation and researching skills
For your lawyer to be able to defend you and present your case effectively, they need to do a lot of investigation and research. Each case is unique, which means your attorney should have a different approach to your case and not just treat it like any other cases. Your lawyer should thoroughly conduct legal research to find anything that would strengthen your case, prove your innocence, and, if applicable, reduce your charge.
It’s also recommended to hire an attorney that’s within your locality. For instance, if you’re in Australia, you may hire lawyers from lawyers Sydney legal office, NSW lawyers’ office, etc. It’ll be easier for the Sydney lawyers to conduct research and investigation when you’re in the same state.
- Approachability
Your hired criminal defence lawyer will not only represent you in the courtroom, but they will also be the only person you can count on to give you the best results no matter how the case will turn out. You may have support from your family or friends, but it’s only your lawyer who you can only talk to or approach about the status of your case. Thus, it’s ideal to hire a lawyer with whom you’re comfortable and can approach anytime. A lawyer you find approachable and relatable will make it easier for you to communicate your concerns and opinions about your case.
- Analytical skills
The legal industry is probably one of the most complex and unpredictable fields. Every case is different, and every situation should be treated differently. And so, your hired criminal defence lawyer must possess the analytical skills to analyse and solidify every piece of evidence and information presented in the court. Furthermore, they may also be cases wherein the lawyer has to analyse the situation on the spot and face the legal process accordingly. To do this, their analytical skills will help them come up with quick rebuttals and strong arguments that will defend your case and prove your innocence.
- Negotiation skills
There will be instances when some criminal cases are succeeded by negotiations and settlement processes. Thus, if you want the best or most favourable outcome from your case, you need a lawyer with excellent negotiation skills and fiercely determined to get the best possible deal for you and your case.
- Aggressiveness
Although not always, there may be certain times when your lawyer needs to be aggressive to defend your case. When your lawyer possesses the right amount of aggressiveness and uses it at the right time in the courtroom, it can be a massive advantage on your part. Aggression can help your lawyer fight and defend your case with confidence, which can result in a positive outcome for you. In some instances, your lawyer’s aggressiveness can also be used to boost your dominance in the court.
Key Takeaway
Going through a criminal case can be tough and it always has a significant effect on your life and career. In some cases, it can be traumatising, and might even leave you demoralised. By hiring a criminal defence lawyer that possesses the qualities mentioned above, they can help you in your case, yield a positive outcome, and secure your legal rights.
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