Trial Attorney
Feb 6, 2026
Not All Lawyers Are Trial Lawyers—And It Matters More Than You Think
When you're facing serious criminal charges—felonies with prison time, sex offense allegations, federal charges, violent crimes—the consequences are permanent. Prison, lifetime registration, destroyed careers, shattered families. These aren't abstract risks. They're real outcomes that demand real expertise.
Yet most criminal defense attorneys rarely take cases to trial.
The Divide You Don't See Until It's Too Late
There's a fundamental split in criminal defense. Some attorneys build practices around volume: quick plea deals, high case loads, constant turnover. Others build practices around the courtroom: genuine trial preparation, jury experience, and the willingness to fight.
Prosecutors know the difference immediately. They know who's actually taken them on in front of a jury and who hasn't. That knowledge shapes everything—which cases they'll dismiss, which deals they'll offer, and which defendants they'll push hardest.
Why Trial Experience Is Different
Trial work isn't just knowing the law. It's jury psychology, cross-examination under pressure, evidence presentation when things go wrong, and composure when a case falls apart. You don't learn these skills from books. You learn them by doing it—repeatedly.
For minor offenses, a capable negotiator might be enough. But when you're facing years in prison or lifetime registration requirements, you need an attorney who has actually stood in front of juries and won.
The Prosecutor's Perspective
As a former prosecutor, I learned who we took seriously: the defense attorneys we'd faced in trial. We knew their preparation, their skill, their willingness to fight. When those attorneys called, the conversation was different—not because of courtesy, but because we knew they weren't bluffing about trial.
That experience taught me what matters. It's why I've made trial work the foundation of my practice, not the exception.
Questions Worth Asking
When interviewing attorneys for serious charges, ask specifics:
How many jury trials have you personally handled?
How many in the last five years?
What happens if we can't reach an acceptable plea?
An attorney who has tried 150+ cases answers differently than one who avoids the question.
The Bottom Line
Settlement-focused attorneys have their place. But when charges could take your freedom for years or mark you permanently, you need someone who doesn't just know how to go to trial—you need someone who has, recently and successfully.
Prosecutors don't fear attorneys who talk about fighting. They fear attorneys who've proven they will.
Next Steps
Don't settle for an attorney who treats your case like another file. Call me today, and let's discuss what real trial experience looks like—and why it matters for your case.
