Washington DC is the center of our country’s judicial system, and as such, is often referred to as the “lawyer capital of the world.”  With so many available attorneys, finding the best criminal lawyer in DC can be a daunting task.  To begin to narrow your search, look for attorneys who specialize in criminal defense.  The legal profession is a broad field covering a vast expanse of information and procedures in each of the various areas.  No one person can be intimately familiar with all areas of the legal profession.  Therefore, the first step in finding the right DC criminal lawyer is to find an attorney with specific expertise in criminal law and a proven track record of successfully defending against DC criminal charges.

When overwhelmed by the number of DC criminal attorneys available, some people resort to choosing one based on advertisements.  Many DC criminal lawyers invest significant money into advertising, each proclaiming himself or herself to be the best DC criminal lawyer.  However, relying on flashy commercials will not guarantee that you get the best DC criminal lawyer on your side.  Instead of trusting the advertising claims, do some research to find out which DC criminal lawyers are successful, trustworthy, and knowledgeable.  One way to research DC criminal attorneys is to search the internet for a particular attorney’s name.   If that DC attorney’s name appears in any local news stories, the DC news organizations trust that attorney as a reliable source about criminal matters.  This reliability is a good indication that the lawyer is a trusted attorney and may be the best criminal lawyer in Washington DC for your defense.

Most DC criminal law firms offer a free consultation of a case, so once you have found one or two DC criminal attorneys that you think may be the best for you, call or visit the office to set up a consultation.  This consultation is not only an opportunity for the attorney to determine the merits of your case, but also a chance for you to see if the firm fits your needs.  Does the firm appear professional?  Does the DC criminal lawyer seem committed to your case?  Does the firm maintain open lines of communication with its clients?  These are attributes to look for when trying to find the best criminal attorney in DC.