Sometimes the best way to plan for a competition is to look at your opponent, understand their strengths and base your strategy around stopping your opponent from doing all of the things they do well. If you know how the other team is going to attack, you can plan a more effective defense.
Along a similar vein, in the courtroom, good defense lawyers know how a great prosecutor will likely attack a case and vice versa. You know what qualities make a good opponent in the courtroom, and while that knowledge can help you plan your argument, it also makes you an expert on what techniques and methods work most effectively for the other side. With that in mind, we want to share three qualities that prosecutors say that most good criminal defense lawyers have in the courtroom.
What Makes A Good Defense Lawyer According To The Prosecution
Here’s a look at three common themes that prosecutors say are tough to go up against in the court of law.
1. Experience, Experience, Experience – Now, this isn’t to say that a younger lawyer won’t be able to look at a problem in a different way and earn a favorable result, but experience typically makes a big difference in the courtroom. A defense lawyer who has been practicing for 20 years will know all the tricks and motions that the other side may use to strengthen their argument or cripple the other side’s case. An attorney with a longer track record also likely has earned some respect in local courthouses and can achieve more favorable outcomes or plea deals because of their familiarity with the best ways to reach their desired result.
2. Prosecution Experience – Having 20 years of experience as a defense lawyer is great, but also having some experience working on the prosecution’s side can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case. If your lawyer has experience working as a prosecutor, they’ll have a much clearer idea of how the prosecution will likely try to make their case. Because of this, your team can now plan the best defense to counter these expected arguments. If you know how the other side will attack your credibility, you can have your defenses ready.
3. They Care – Finally, prosecutors say that defense lawyers who really take the time to establish a connection with their client tend to fair much better in the courtroom. A defense lawyer and client need to be able to trust and communicate with each other in order to achieve the best results. Any defense lawyer can secure a weak plea deal for their client, but it’s the lawyers that spend the extra time formulating compelling arguments and chipping away at the prosecution’s arguments who will get the most favorable outcomes for their client. Defense lawyers who see their clients as real people, but just another intake form, tend to do the best job for their clients in the courtroom.
We have all three of these qualities at Appelman Law Firm, and we’d love to put these qualities to work for you in the event you need legal defense. For more information or for help with a criminal matter, give our team a call today at (952) 224-2277.
