New York City is home to hundreds of criminal defense law firms and thousands of criminal defense lawyers. While every criminal defense lawyer has to have passed the Bar to represent you if you’re facing criminal charges, not all have the criminal law experience to make sure you stand the best possible chances in your case.

In this blog, we’ll explain why it’s important to have an experienced NYC criminal defense lawyer on your side if you want to stand the best possible chance of fighting charges and minimizing disruption to your life.

What is criminal defense?

It’s easy to assume all attorneys do the same job – but this is not the case. A criminal defense lawyer focuses on providing legal representation to someone who has been accused of a criminal offense.

This involves protecting the accused’s rights, challenging the evidence that is used against that person, negotiating with the prosecution, and potentially arguing the case in court to seek a dismissal, acquittal, or reduced sentence.

It’s easy to feel like the law is there to work against you when you’re accused of a crime – but this shouldn’t be the case. An experienced criminal lawyer will level the playing field – understanding how the criminal justice system can work in your favor and not that of the prosecution.

Why does experience matter when looking for criminal defense attorneys?

Even without considering the impact of jail time, a criminal record can turn your life upside down. Because of this, working with an experienced law office can make all the difference if you find yourself facing criminal court here in New York.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything an experienced law office will bring to the table and how it can shape the outcome of your charges.

The best criminal lawyers will have knowledge of local laws and courts

Understanding the nuances of local laws and court procedures is an indispensable asset that an experienced New York City criminal defense attorney brings to your case.

The right attorney will possess a deep knowledge of the intricacies of New York’s state-specific laws and the subtleties of local court protocols. On top of this, familiarity with the local legal community, including judges, prosecutors, and court staff, can also influence the trajectory of a case.

This local advantage, coupled with exceptional legal expertise, can significantly influence negotiations, procedural decisions, and, ultimately, the final outcome of your case. With this in mind, you can probably now see that choosing an experienced local attorney is more than a choice; it’s a strategic move.

Experienced criminal defense lawyers will help you build a strong defense strategy

An experienced attorney understands that building a strong and compelling defense isn’t as simple as creating a version of events – it’s a skilled process that considers all evidence and identifies vulnerabilities in the prosecution’s case.

Diligent criminal defense representation involves gathering, examining, and leveraging evidence to strengthen your case. Naturally, this is backed up with a detailed understanding of legal procedures to ensure no deadlines are missed, paperwork is impeccably presented, and your rights are monitored and upheld through every step.

A good criminal defense attorney will have excellent negotiation skills

It’s important to be wary of criminal defense lawyers whose thoughts turn immediately to plea bargains – but that’s not to say negotiating with the prosecution isn’t vitally important.

In some cases, a plea agreement is appropriate – and an influential New York attorney will understand just how far that bargain can be negotiated. Of course, negotiation doesn’t necessarily result in a guilty plea – in some cases, experienced eyes and negotiating prowess can even result in a case dismissal.

An experienced law firm will have taken numerous criminal cases to trial

Although many criminal cases are settled before reaching the courtroom, there’s always a chance that your case will go to trial. If this occurs, you need to be 100% confident in your attorney’s ability to skillfully argue your case.

While this is something that most attorneys can do in theory, there’s no substitute for actual trial experience. A lawyer that is familiar with the courtroom, the dynamics of a case and has years of experience presenting legal arguments is far more likely to obtain a favorable outcome.

An experienced criminal defense team will understand the importance of personalized attention and communication

The best criminal defense attorneys will always make sure that they dedicate time and attention to you and your case.

By doing so, they get a far better understanding of your unique circumstances – which allows for a more finely-crafted defense strategy. What’s more, the right lawyer will also want to make sure your well-being is protected throughout the case – and will do so by providing guidance, reassurance, and uncompromising representation throughout.

An experienced law firm will have an exceptional network

When you choose an experienced criminal defense, you’re not just choosing a knowledgeable lawyer – you’re also getting a professional network that’s been developed over many years.

This is likely to include connections with expert witnesses, private investigators, and other legal professionals who can provide support and additional insight. Connections like these can significantly strengthen your case – a team of experts who can work collectively to ensure the best possible outcome.

We’re a team of highly experienced NY criminal defense lawyers

At The Law Offices of Julie Rendelman, each of our experienced criminal defense attorneys is able to combine exceptional knowledge of the law with real criminal defense and trial experience. We regularly face prosecutors from the various NY County District Attorney’s Offices including Manhattan, Kings Queens, Staten Island, Bronx and Nassau and are proud to have successfully represented countless clients facing serious criminal charges.

As you can see, experience is essential when your life and livelihood are on the line – so if you’re facing criminal charges, we strongly urge you to get in touch and talk to one of our attorneys today.