Criminal law is an armpit of the law that deals with crimes that are committed against the state, unlike civil cases which are usually between individuals. The government prosecutes criminal law cases against the persons who have committed crimes or felonies like theft, robbery with violence, assault, trafficking in controlled substances and murder. Civil cases include divorce cases, traffic offenses, insurance cases, property disputes and employment/labor cases among others. It can be argued that criminal cases attract more severe consequences as opposed to civil cases.
A criminal defense attorney is charged with the mandate of assessing 
your case through the police reports and evaluation of evidence that has been leveled against you. Usually, it is his responsibility to ensure that you stay out of prison on bail pending the determination of the case. Bail is guided by the common principle in criminal law which stipulates that the accused is innocent until proven guilty and therefore there is no reason as to why one should be kept in custody until proven guilty before a court of law. A criminal lawyer should be keen to gather relevant evidence that will exonerate you of any wrongdoing or help to mitigate your sentence.
A criminal defense attorney plays the most significant role in criminal litigation, and the following factors are essential in selecting one.
Specialization
It is critical that you understand the kind of attorney that you are willing to entrust your freedom. It is preferable to secure the services of a lawyer who has specialized in criminal law rather than one who juggles between civil and criminal law. Specialization enhances skill and efficiency. Therefore, your interests are best secured by an attorney who has purely specialized in criminal law.
Experience
Tr
aining an attorney takes years of study and experience. Going to law school does not automatically make you are an excellent attorney but years of experience ensure growth and better understanding of the law. No one has a complete knowledge of the law, but experience can undoubtedly give you a broader understanding of how to deal with certain issues more efficiently.
Reputation
The quality of an attorney in a particular area of law will manifest in the society. A good criminal lawyer will undoubtedly be acclaimed along the corridors of justice. Therefore it is important to research about the qualities of the advocate you intend to hire. You can also seek to establish his win rate in matters that relate to your predicament.
