Criminal charges are serious matters that people should never try to handle on their own. Hiring a criminal attorney is the best way to obtain the best possible outcome if you are charged with a crime. Here are four qualities to look for before retaining a criminal lawyer.

1. They Have Prior Success Handling Similar Cases

No two cases are exactly alike, but the attorney you're working with should have lots of experience representing others with similar charges. An experienced attorney should have a better idea of what evidence would work in your favor and what evidence might be more difficult to overcome. Their level of experience allows them to give you insights on what you should expect in court as well.

2. They Are an Excellent Communicator

Your attorney should be easy to reach and communicate with while your case is in progress. If you call and leave a message, the attorney should return your call as soon as possible and discuss whatever concerns you might have. A top-tier legal professional can also help you understand the charges against you, the evidence that will be presented, and how to form the strongest legal defense.

3. They Are Dedicated to Upholding Your Rights

Your attorney should make sure your legal rights are upheld throughout the case. If a prosecutor, judge, or another party ignores your rights, your attorney should aggressively enforce them. Having a dedicated legal professional on your side makes this process much less stressful and difficult.

4. They Keep Your Information Completely Confidential

Your attorney should make sure to discuss the case with you and only those staffers who are assisting with your legal defense. You likely won't be in a high-profile criminal case that gets a lot of media attention, but such cases do happen. An attorney who openly talks about your case might jeopardize it by giving away too much information or saying something that might be used against you. Confidentiality matters a great deal when fighting criminal charges in court.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nation had more than 830,000 practicing attorneys in 2021. Whatever you need, there's a legal expert near you who can help. If you're facing criminal charges, you can call Schwartz, Hanna, Olsen & Taus, PC to schedule an initial consultation with an experienced criminal lawyer.