What Should a Good Defense Attorney Do For You?

A good defense attorney is an ally and advocate, but beyond that, a good attorney is also a trusted advisor. Unfortunately, that sometimes means it is the responsibility of an attorney to deliver bad news: the case is strong, conviction is likely, how can we mitigate the consequences? 

Too often, a client thinks the only acceptable defense strategy is to do something to get the charges dismissed. When there is a legitimate legal issue a defense attorney can capitalize and prevail pretrial by challenging the police investigation or charging process. That is a great opportunity! Sometimes, however, that isn’t realistic. There are very clear and legitimate ways the criminal justice system can be employed to convict a defendant. In those cases where an investigation is by the book, the best an attorney can do is to help a client understand the risks and mitigate the consequences.

A good defense attorney should deliver the good and bad news. A defense attorney needs to be able to explain the rules of law, evidence, and procedure in a way that helps his client understand the risks of trial, while simultaneously negotiating and challenging prosecutors to resolve on terms that best benefit the client. 

Ultimately, the client is in the driver’s seat, but it is a criminal defense attorney’s job to give accurate, real-time guidance and direction. It’s not only unethical, but it is also dishonest to misrepresent the status of a client’s case. 

My experience as a former police officer and prosecutor help me quickly develop a realistic and acute understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each case I accept, giving my clients the upper hand in navigating the criminal justice system.