You've been accused of and charged with a crime you know you didn't commit. You have faith in the system and believe you'll be vindicated. While that could very well be true, you'll still want a Phoenix criminal defense attorney by your side to help you champion your cause.

Why Hire a Lawyer When You're Innocent?

This is a question that's asked all too often. The sad reality is if law enforcement has enough of a case against you that prosecutors have decided to pursue charges, those investigators are going to stop looking into the prospect of other guilty parties. This doesn't necessarily make them bad at their jobs or dishonest. If the evidence happens to point in your direction enough for an arrest warrant, law enforcement simply has to move along to the next case.

But, that simple fact that good enough is often more than enough for prosecutors is precisely why you need a good Phoenix criminal defense attorney on your case. When you hire an experienced, reputable professional, you'll gain the benefit not only of someone working to formulate your defense, but also to prove your innocence if need be.

The best criminal defense attorneys don't take investigations at face value. They retrace investigators' steps and conduct their own research starting at square one. This can sometime lead to discrepancies in the actual investigation and in other cases it can lead to the actual guilty party.

How to Locate the Best

If you need a Phoenix criminal defense attorney, do take the time to hire someone you feel will work tirelessly on your behalf. You ideally want an attorney who will put you and proving your innocence first. Here are some hallmarks to look for that indicate a good hire:

• Experience in your type of case - You probably don't want a lawyer who has only handled DUI cases defending you in a murder trial. That's not to say a newbie couldn't deliver an excellent defense, but it's a good idea to go with someone who has a proven track record for success.


• Investigative experience - Your lawyer should have experienced professionals in house that can conduct investigations on his or her behalf.


• Willingness to listen - You want a Phoenix criminal defense attorney who will hear your side and work hard to provide you the best defense possible. A straight shooter is also important so you always know where you stand.