If you're arrested, you'll be taken to jail to await your turn before a judge. You may choose to post bail if you desire, but you will still have to attend your assigned court date. At your court date, a prosecutor will formally charge you with a crime if you meet the necessary criteria. Once you're charged with a crime, you will have the right to contest the charges in court. In order to do this, you'll need a lawyer to represent you. Criminal defense lawyers defend people who are accused of various crimes. Here are some questions you should ask yourself when picking a lawyer to represent you.

1. Is the lawyer personable and persuasive?

A lawyer's job has two parts. First, they must have knowledge of the law. This knowledge will allow them to compile a case to hopefully prove that you are not guilty. Second, a lawyer must be persuasive. A lawyer's job involves convincing the jury to rule in your favor. In order to do this effectively, a lawyer must have excellent communication skills. They must be someone that the jury can like, respect, and trust. Choose a lawyer that you believe will give you an advantage in the courtroom.

2. Does the lawyer specialize in the right area of criminal law?

Criminal law is a very broad topic. Since it's such an expansive subject, many lawyers choose to specialize further. Search for a lawyer who specializes in defending clients who have faced circumstances similar to yours. For example, if you're being charged with shoplifting, you'll want to find a lawyer that has worked on theft cases in the past. A criminal lawyer who typically tries cases pertaining to battery and assault can be an excellent attorney, but they may not have the exact skills needed to help you win a shoplifting case.

3. Does the lawyer offer consulting services?

If you plan to take a plea deal and don't intend to see the inside of a courtroom, you may not need to retain a lawyer. However, you can still benefit from a brief consultation. During a consultation, a criminal defense lawyer can explain the particulars of any plea deal presented to you. They can advise you to take the deal or make a counteroffer if the deal is not in your best interest. Navigating the criminal justice system can be frightening, and mistakes can have enormous consequences. A criminal lawyer will help you make the right decisions in these situations.

Contact a criminal lawyer for more information.