Facing criminal charges is not a time for joking. If you have been arrested or are potentially facing a criminal charge, the first thing you need to do is find the best criminal defense attorney that works in the metro Atlanta and Marietta areas you can to take on your case. Here are some of the most essential qualities of criminal defense lawyers you should look for: 

UNDERSTANDING

A good lawyer knows that few things are ever black and white. Sometimes bad things happen to good people despite their best efforts. A strong attorney is not there to judge you but to help you through this difficult situation you're in.

EXPERIENCED

One of the first questions you're going to ask when you're interviewing prospective law firms is how much experience they have. Look for years of experience, but also pay attention to what field of law they've had the most experience in. You need to hire a lawyer who has experience representing clients in situations like yours.

COMMITTED

There are some lawyers out there who take on too many cases and therefore are unable to give all their clients sufficient time and attention. Make sure the lawyer you work with is committed to your case and can give enough attention to it, so as to ensure they do the best job.

HIGHLY TRAINED

Your lawyer needs to be highly trained and qualified. Highly trained lawyers do more than just the bare minimum. They should be going to continuing education courses to make sure their knowledge is current and that they're up to date with all the applicable regulations and changes in law.

AGGRESSIVE

Also, look for a lawyer who is aggressive. In some areas of law, this is not as important as it is for a criminal defense attorney. If you are charged with a crime, you might be going up against some of the most experienced prosecutors in the country and need to give yourself as much of an advantage.

GOOD REPUTATION

When looking for a lawyer, contrary to the millennial trend and belief, review posts are not the best way find out a lawyer's reputation. You have to make the call to that lawyer, and see for yourself. If he or she takes the time to discuss your case that is a clear sign that the lawyer has a good reputation for helping clients by being communicative, proactive, and understanding throughout their cases.

NEGOTIATION SKILLS

In criminal cases, negotiation skills are an absolute must. Not all cases are the same, and nobody's circumstances are exactly the same. Your lawyer needs to be taking note of all the nuances of your case and using it to build a strong negotiation strategy to take to the table.

When you're facing criminal charges, the best thing that you can do for yourself is to seek out the best legal counsel. Making sure you hire someone with these traits might take some time, but will be well worth it as they help you navigate your case. Give us a call at The Lopes Law Firm, and see if we can live up to the list of most essential qualities you should look for of a great criminal defense lawyer. Call us!