10 Things You Should Look For in a Criminal Defense Attorney

When you’re in need of a criminal defense lawyer, something’s gone wrong, and you’re in a position where your liberty, employment and career, family and financial future is in jeopardy. You can’t afford to choose the wrong attorney – you need someone you can trust with your life.

That’s why it’s absolutely vital you find the right criminal defense lawyer for you, your case and your budget as soon as possible. When you set out to find yourself a criminal defense lawyer, you likely don’t know where to start, let alone manage the new stresses in your life. The sooner you find the right attorney for you, the better. Here are the top ten qualities your criminal defense lawyer must have, and if you’re in the St. Louis Metro area, be sure to find out more about how Chris Combs and Combs Law Group can help with your case.

Passion – you want a lawyer who is passionate about what they do for their clients, for their community, and law. Chris Combs has dedicated much of his life to learning everything he can about practicing law, spent his years studying law and the beginning of his career in St. Louis and was born and bred here, ensuring he is in the best position possible to advocate for his clients. The attorney you choose to represent you should display the same passion and dedication for what they do.

Next, ensure they specialize in the area of law for your case. You can choose a lawyer who is a jack-of-all-trades, however, your case will go more smoothly (and will be more successful) if you choose an attorney with years of experience with cases like yours. Combs Law Group has a range of specialties; including traffic offenses, drug possession charges, violent and theft-related crimes. Ask your potential attorney what they have the most experience in and what similar cases they’ve represented.

Experienced – everyone has to start somewhere but choosing a criminal lawyer with years of experience under his or her belt is going to offer you peace of mind and the best chance of success. Most great lawyers start at a larger firm before branching out on their own, so choose an attorney who is open about their background and has a history practicing in your local area or in the area of law you require.

Respected in the local community – No attorney who tries to tell you they can get you off because they’re friends with the judge or law enforcement is to be trusted, however, choosing a firm who is well established and has developed relationships in the local area through longevity and experience is going to help your case move more smoothly. Chris Combs has been practicing law in the St. Louis area for over five years and has developed long-standing relationships with the local police, judges, and prosecutors.

Personalized attention: will you be a priority? This is a vital question to have answered; you don’t want to be a name or number on a list or handed off to paralegals without your knowledge. You need your case to be taken seriously and feel reassured and supported, that’s why we offer all of our clients personalized attention, and you should ensure that your criminal defense attorney or firm does the same. For us, client satisfaction is paramount, and you should look for an attorney or firm who can do the same for you if you aren’t in the St. Louis area.

Relatable – you need your attorney to be a human you relate to, who knows how to speak plainly, and whom you believe has a similar moral compass. When you meet or speak to them for the first time, how do they speak and act toward you? Do they confuse you with jargon, speak down to you, or put you at ease immediately? Use your intuition and go with your gut. If someone makes you feel stupid or uncomfortable look somewhere else.

Around the clock support – If you’ve sought the help of a criminal defense attorney it’s clear you need someone in your corner, especially if there’s a sudden change in your circumstances or a development in your case. If you need your lawyer at midnight, you need them then, not at noon the next day when they are ready to hear from you. All our clients have 24/7 access to their attorney, so they are never left alone and can rest assured that should they need someone to fight for them, their attorney will be there as soon as possible.

They have happy and grateful past clients. You look up the reviews of a restaurant before you go and looking for a defense attorney should be no different. Any good attorney will have past clients championing them and the work they’ve done. These are the people you should listen to and who are going to give you the true pros and cons of working with that attorney or law firm. Combs Law Group has a phenomenal track record of happy customers, and only one Google review below 5 stars – and that’s a 4 star with no complaints! That’s the kind of professionalism and performance history you want in your corner. Never settle for a second-rate attorney; remember this is your future on the line.

Upfront and open about fees. You should maximize your budget for the best lawyers you can get. This is not an area to save money in your life, and you should absolutely get the most experienced and successful lawyer you can, however, ensure you are charged fairly. We offer free case evaluations and charge you by case complexity and an agreed upon legal strategy. Your chosen attorney should be open and upfront, and you should walk away from anyone who ‘guarantees’ to win your case. It violates code, and there’s a difference between confidence and truly believing they can win your case and guaranteeing you a win.

Finally, choose a winner. You don’t back sports teams on a losing streak, so don’t hire an attorney who doesn’t have a backlog of successful cases they can show you. Your lawyer should love to win, be an aggressive advocate for their clients, and have a list of successful cases like yours that they can show you. The knowledge that your attorney has won cases similar to yours will help you stay a little cooler should your case go to trial. Chris Combs and Combs Law Group has a long history of successful outcomes and results, so our clients can rest assured knowing they hired the best people for their defense who will aggressively advocate for them throughout their case.

If you’re looking for a criminal defense attorney in St. Louis, with all the qualities listed above, contact Chris Combs and the Combs Law Group for a free consultation. We’ve restored the lives of hard-working people; from other lawyers to blue-collar workers. We cover the entire St. Louis Metro area and are dedicated to fighting for your future.