Why Former Prosecutors Are The Best Criminal Defense Attorneys

Jan 24, 2022 | Criminal Defense

Searching for the best criminal defense attorneys in Colorado Springs? Learn why you should only hire one with experience as an El Paso County Prosecutor.

When You’ve Played For the Other Team, You Have Better Odds At Winning When You Play Against Them

The criminal lawyers in Colorado Springs know how to protect their clients’ rights against overzealous police and prosecutors. They know how to find and exploit the weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case against their client. Experienced criminal lawyers know how El Paso and Teller County prosecutors think, what they consider important, and what will sway them into dropping charges or agreeing to a favorable plea deal.

The best criminal attorneys also know all of the unwritten rules and personal inclinations of the various judges who preside over criminal cases. And the best criminal defense attorneys know all of these things for one reason: They were once El Paso and Teller County Prosecutors themselves. Many of the most prominent and successful defense lawyers were previously employed as prosecutors, bringing charges against the accused.

When prosecutors switch gears to defend the very people they tried to convict, they bring with them all of the insights and knowledge they gained during their time working for the State of Colorado. Perhaps the most famous lawyer in literary history, Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, said to his daughter Scout: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view… until you climb inside it and walk around in it.”  A criminal defense attorney who wants to understand how prosecutors obtain convictions – and lose cases – needs to consider things from their point of view. They need the experience that can only come by standing in prosecutors’  shoes.

There Is No Substitute For Extensive Trial Experience

There are plenty of talented young lawyers out there who may become outstanding criminal defense attorneys – one day. But there is simply no substitute for experience when it comes to effectively and successfully defending and defeating criminal charges. And there is no better experience than having tried hundreds or thousands of criminal cases, as most prosecutors have.

There are nuances and realities of the criminal justice process that aren’t necessarily found in books or statutes. Every jurisdiction in Colorado has its own rules and procedures, every prosecutor has their own way of pursuing convictions, and every judge brings their own perspective and preferences to the cases they hear. Knowing these unwritten rules can be as crucial as knowing the written laws, and the ability to turn those nuances into an advantage is something that only comes from experience, and sets the best criminal defense attorneys apart from their peers.

Productive Relationships With Prosecutors

The criminal justice system is inherently adversarial: one side will fight tooth and nail to obtain a conviction while the other will work just as hard to avoid one. But just like athletes will go all out to beat the other team, they also usually respect their opponents, shake hands at the end of the game, and learn what to expect the next time they play against each other.

The relationship between a prosecutor and a criminal defense lawyer is similar, especially when the defense attorney used to play on the prosecutor’s team. The professional respect and personal relationships that prosecutors have with former colleagues can facilitate productive discussions about how to resolve a case positively for the defendant.

The prosecutor will know that they are facing one of the best criminal defense attorneys around, with the experience, skills, and tenacity to fight for their clients. They’ve seen the lawyer in action, respect their talents, and know that they’ll have a fight on their hands. This can make them more amenable to a plea bargain, reduced charges, and lesser penalties than they otherwise would be.

The Best Criminal Defense Attorneys Are Passionate About Their Work

The former prosecutors who become defense attorneys look at their work as a calling, not a job. They became prosecutors because they believed in the criminal justice system. When they use their talents to defend those accused of crimes, they are equally passionate about protecting their clients’ rights against that very same system and ensuring that they receive the best possible representation when facing the full power of the state. That means the best criminal defense attorneys will spare no effort on behalf of their clients to either obtain an acquittal or minimize the consequences of their ordeal.

Get an Advantage If You Facing Criminal Charges

The attorneys at the Colorado Springs criminal law firm of James Newby Law use the experience and insight gained as former prosecutors to protect the rights of individuals facing criminal charges in and around the Pikes Peak region. This is an advantage to you.  If you are looking for an aggressive and committed Colorado Springs criminal defense lawyer who will stand by you and stand up for you every step of the way, contact us to arrange for your free, confidential consultation with an attorney that is a former prosecutor.