Several of us avidly follow famous criminal trials; some may have even undertaken jury duty. The media portrays these trials as edge-of-your-seat exciting, keen to see justice rightly served.
On the media and in fictional crime shows, there are clear villains and heroes. However, the reality is different when you are the one who is being prosecuted.
If you find yourself in trouble with the law, you will need a criminal solicitor at your side, supporting you and providing advice to help your case. Our legal team at ABV wants to assist you, however complex or severe your charges.
Our aim of this article is to highlight the vital qualities of a crime lawyer to ensure the best possible conclusion for your circumstances.
What makes a good criminal solicitor?
The job of criminal solicitors is to defend citizens accused of crimes, and this involves several roles.
To be considered a competent crime solicitor, your legal team must not just be specialised and highly knowledgeable, but also a keen listener, and be able to act quickly on their feet. At the same time, a lawyer should be empathetic and become personally involved in their client’s cases.
Good communication skills
Typically, lawyers are usually portrayed as professionals who spend most of their time defending their clients, negotiating terms and conditions with the prosecutors, and interviewing witnesses. In short, a substantial amount of their jobs is spent communicating with the parties involved in the case.
That said, listening and establishing rapport with their clients is essential. When a client begins trusting their legal team, they are more inclined to divulge information that is relevant to their case.
Knowing the details of a client’s story means that a lawyer can take action quicker.
A good knowledge base, and then some
All professionals should have an extensive knowledge base. A lawyer should not be just highly knowledgeable about criminal law but should also be equipped with an arsenal of other skills. For example, changes can occur quickly during a trial. Therefore, a good lawyer must be able to think on the spot, especially where new evidence is brought forward.
At the same time, a lawyer is also a forward-thinker who devises various strategies to stay ahead of the game. He or she may do this by knowing what files may be used to prosecute his or her client and can identify how to defend these accusations accordingly.
Be confidential
A conflict of interest may occur when a lawyer shares personal client information with external sources, and it is leaked. Therefore, it is essential to keep this confidential as part of client-attorney privilege, which is what any ethical and experienced crime solicitor does.
Getting involved
The criminal solicitor should hold themselves personally responsible for the outcome of the case, ergo put their best efforts in to ensure the best possible scenario. That said, professionalism should be upheld at all times.
Empathy does play a role in knowing how the case may be affecting the client’s life, security, and general wellbeing.
For their client’s best interest, a good lawyer becomes proactively involved, which is something our law firm strives for.