The Importance Of A Good Criminal Defense Attorney

There are times in a person’s life when they face the legal system in one way or the other. Sometimes it is a very simple matter but sometimes it can be very serious. This is especially true when it falls in the criminal department. That is when one needs a criminal defense attorney.

For a person who is faced with serious charges, and has never been in this type of situation before, this can be a frightening experience. This is especially true if one is not guilty of the crime. When first placed under arrest it is the law that an explanation must be given regarding the right to contact an attorney. This is done for a specific reason, mainly that if you do not ask for an attorney it is easy for the accused to make statements that can be incriminating and can be presented in court.

Any attorney will advise the person arrested to make no statement other than to answer generic questions, such as address or other general information. Fingerprints will, of course, be taken and questioning will begin. At this point, it is important to have an attorney present.

When in this situation there is only one phone call allowed. If the arrested party does not know a good criminal attorney the best thing to do is call a family member or friend and ask them to fine one. When they do this, the attorney will come to the jail and confer to find out what the charges are and the arrested person’s side of the story.

A good criminal attorney specializes in this area of the law and knows all the rights of the accused. Having him or her on one’s side can make all the difference in the world between walking out of jail free or spending some time in a prison. They can immediately file any necessary papers, determine what needs to be done immediately and what will take some time.

When going to trial they will be fully prepared with all the necessary witnesses, law references, and other things that are required. Previous to the trial, the attorney will fully brief the accused in how to answer the questions. If an improper question is raised during the trial, he or she will object and, if necessary, quote the section of law that pertains.

Criminal attorneys must be licensed by the state in which they practice. In addition to a four-year college or university degree, they must attend an accredited law school. To be admitted to the law school they must take a difficult LSAT admission test, have good grades in their undergraduate work, have recommendation letters and have a personal interview. After graduating from law school they must take and pass a bar exam to be licensed to practice in the state.

It takes three years to complete a law school program and only upon graduation are they eligible to take the state bar exam. Their training not only is in regards to how to perform in the courtroom but also how to research and properly represent their client. A good criminal attorney will do everything in their power to give the best defense possible for their client.


Federal Bureau of Prisons

Infographic Created By Zoukis Consulting Group, Providing Legal Assistance to Those Incarcerated in the Federal Bureau of Prisons