From Law School Graduate To Criminal Defense Attorney: Why Your Lawyer's Experience Matters
When you need a criminal defense attorney, you want someone with experience. Sure, you could hire a recent law school graduate, but when you are accused of something as serious as rape, murder, drug running, or embezzlement, you want to be sure that your lawyer can get your case acquitted or dismissed. Hire an attorney that has made it through all of the following steps to become an experienced and excellent lawyer.
From Law School to Public Defender
Most law school graduates who want careers in criminal law cut their legal teeth as public defenders. These are lawyers who work for the courts, providing legal services for people accused of crimes that cannot afford a lawyer. While this is a very noble job, and it gives new lawyers a chance to improve their talents as lawyers, it is not where most criminal attorneys rest their cases.
From Public Defender to Junior Partner
After spending a few years honing criminal court skills, the lawyer takes a position as a junior partner in a law firm. Here the lawyer spends another year or two practicing criminal law. If lawyers are really good, they may make full partner within a few years. If they are not so good, they may be fired or remain junior partner indefinitely.
From Junior Partner to Senior Partner, or Owning a Law Firm
About ten years after law school, a graduate is expected (and expects!) to either be the owner of his/her own law practice/firm or make senior partner in someone else's firm. This entire career path can be fast-tracked IF the lawyer is exceptionally good at what he/she does. If you find a fresh-faced lawyer who is already senior partner somewhere, then either he/she is a really good lawyer, or an inexperienced one placed in a position of authority at a firm a relative owns and operates.
How the Years of Experience Impact Your Case
When you are able to hire a lawyer with several years of experience, you can check his/her win/lose rate. This win/lose rate will reveal how good of a lawyer you have found. It also reveals whether or not you can expect a fair trial and a hardworking attorney who will pull out all the stops to release you from your charges with no criminal convictions. The idea is to walk free, which only most experienced and full-fledged criminal attorneys can do. For more information, contact a law firm like The Fitzpatrick Law Firm
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